Presentation at ORUCC Sunday June 29

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 28, 2025

How UCC Mission Partners bring hope to the Holy Land

Please join us Sunday, June 29, at 9 a.m. in Friendship Hall.

During the past 16 years, ORUCC members Diane Dulin and Tom Beilman have traveled multiple times to the Holy Land. They’ve seen firsthand how UCC Mission Partners (partner organizations) bring hope and friendship to oppressed peoples, amidst the constant stress of military occupation. Come and hear inspiring, informative stories about the vital work of these Mission Partners.

Slide with additional resources

Sign a petition Sunday morning

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 25, 2025

We will have letters you can sign after church on the next 3 Sundays (June 29, July 6, and 13). Letters to Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson ask that they call publicly for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and advocate for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Letters to Mark Pocan thank him for his recent speech to Congress. Our letters and phone calls make a difference.

ORUCC –Donate Your Car for Neighbors in Need

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 27, 2025

Donate Your Car for Neighbors in Need

Here’s the new owner, a single working mom, poised to drive off in her 2006 Toyota Prius, donated by Jill Westberg — the 15th such donation processed by the Orchard Ridge Car Donation Mission Team.

 

The program began a few years ago when church members active in the South West Partnership became aware of the huge obstacle caused by lack of reliable inexpensive transportation for our neighbors. It seemed logical that older cars, owned by church members willing to donate them, could be fixed up a little bit and delivered to folks in need.

 

The Car Donation program depends on the generosity of church members — some who donate cars and some who contribute money so that this work will continue. So please contact the Mission Team — Baxter Richardson (chair), Jon Blanchard, Paul Eggerling-Boeck to learn more. 

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

June 8 Film: “Sarura”

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 17, 2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the film No Other Land is no longer available for presentation this Sunday (June 8th, 5 pm, Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison). In its place, the organizers will be screening Sarura: Nonviolent Action Against Occupation, a highly acclaimed film that we hope you will appreciate just as much. Sarura tells the story of a group of young Palestinians using cameras and nonviolent actions to return their people to land that was taken from them. Introducing the film will be peace activist Cassandra Dixon. Registration is required. Register here.

The prior announcement is below.

Madison’s Anti-War Film Series and friends present the 2025 Academy Award Winner, Best Documentary Feature “No Other Land”

Sunday, June 8, 5 pm, Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E Gorham in Madison

Free, but RSVP required.

These are fundraising screenings. Donations will be requested. Proceeds to the communities of Masafer Yatta in the Occupied West Bank of Palestine. Sponsors: Madison Rafah Sister City Project, Madison for a World BEYOND War, Veterans for Peace Madison, Jewish Voice for Peace Madison, Bartell Theater, Christ Presbyterian Church, Interfaith Peace Working Group.

Watch the trailer. Watch the Oscar acceptance speech.

About the film: For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer
Yatta being destroyed by Israel’s occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist who wants to join his fight. No Other Land is an unflinching account of a community’s mass expulsion and acts as a creative resistance to Apartheid and a search for a path towards equality and justice.

May 29 Speaker at Midvale Lutheran

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 8, 2025

Gaza and the West Bank: A Struggle for Survival Amid Genocide

May 29 at 7:00pm

Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison, WI

Register Here

Israel’s extreme violence in Gaza and the West Bank is uprooting entire communities, destroying homes, displacing civilians, many of them children, and depriving inhabitants of food, water, shelter and medical care. This violence is putting the continued existence of the entire Gazan people at risk and making each day a struggle for their survival. The question is no longer when peace will come, but whether the people of Gaza and the West Bank will survive long enough to see it. This presentation aims to shed light on the lived experiences of Palestinians under siege, the international silence surrounding their suffering and the resilience they continue to show in the face of what many are calling a slow, unfolding genocide. It will also lift up some of the resistance to Israel’s action in Gaza that is going on around the world.

Rev. El-Yateem, a highly respected Arab-American leader and community organizer, was born in Bethlehem in 1968 and emigrated to the United States in 1992. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and a bachelor’s degree from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo. One of Rev. El-Yateem’s primary focuses is promoting open dialogue and unity, especially among Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Rev. El-Yateem serves as Executive Director for Service and Justice at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). 

ORUCC –Care of Creation Mission Team Presentation this Sunday, April 27th

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 22, 2025

Happy Earth Day!

Care of Creation Mission Team Presentation at 9:00 am this Sunday, April 27th in Friendship Hall: Jeff Epping

Jeff Epping was the Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison for 25 years. He received the Award of Merit from the American Public Gardens Association in 2023 for his work as an early innovator of eco-friendly gardening practices and use of native plants in the landscape. Jeff pioneered techniques like leaf mulching, organic lawn care, gravel gardens and living mulch. More recently he designed the extensive gardens at Epic Systems in Verona. Click here for more info about Jeff.

Plan to attend to learn about sustainable landscapes and practices to promote pollinators at home and in the community.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

ORUCC – Dane County Immigration Justice Resources

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 11, 2025

Dane County Immigration Justice Resources 

 

The Immigration Justice Mission Team, knowing that many are looking for ways to effectively engage with the justice issues before us, have prepared a guide to those local immigration justice organizations doing the frontline work of addressing the needs of vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. This guide is also set forth below in its entirety.

 

As we continue to “Welcome the Stranger,” we strive to move from rhetoric to action. If there are any questions you have or ideas you have please reach out!

We invite you to (1) LEARN about the work of some organizations; (2) JOIN an organization; (3) SUBSCRIBE to their newsletter; (4) VOLUNTEER where the opportunity exists; and (5) DONATE when possible. Each website has a buttons tab for each of the above.



As you explore these organizations, you will notice some of the organizations use social media to spread information, while also communicating behind the scenes in ways that protect their communities.

 

Thank you for your engagement and support!

 

Pastor Julia

Dane County Immigration Resources

1.      Dane Sanctuary Coalition. A coalition of 18 congregations and organizations that provide services to immigrants and refugees. A project of Wisconsin Faith Voices For Justice (WFVFJ) in partnership with Centro Hispano and Voces de la Frontera. Current major initiative is the Volunteer Driver Program. Website:  danesanctuarycoalition.org.

2.      Dane County Department of Human Services. The Dane County Department of Human Services includes an Immigration Affairs unit that assists immigrants and refugees in Dane County through partnership with community organizations. Website: [email protected]

3.      Centro Hispano. The premier nonprofit organization (NGO) serving immigrant communities in Dane County. Website: micentro.org.

4.      Voces de la Frontera. A membership-based community organization whose mission is to protect and expand civil rights and worker rights through leadership development, community organizing and empowerment. Website: vdlf.org.

5.      Jewish Social Services (JSS). Has a long history of resettling refugees and immigrants in Dane County. Provides services to all people while specializing in serving the Jewish and immigrant community. [email protected].

6.      Worker Justice Wisconsin (WJW). WJW supports the safety, stability and agency of victims of human trafficking and labor exploitation. Website: workerjustice.org.

7.      Open Doors For Refugees (ODFR). A volunteer driven organization that helps refugees make a home in the Madison area. Works closely with Jewish Social Services. Website: www.ODFR.org

8.      Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC). Provides vulnerable people with basic need, education and employment services such as getting proper documentation. Website: cmcmadison.org

 

9.      Community Immigration Law Center (CILC). A pro bono organization that provides a full range of immigration legal services. Website: cilcmadison.org

10.  Literacy Network. Long-standing organization that makes extensive use of volunteers in teaching literacy to those looking to learn English. Website: litnetwork.org

LEARN; JOIN; SUBSCRIBE; VOLUNTEER; DONATE

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice www.orucc.org | Madison, WI 53711 US

ORUCC Immigration Justice Happenings

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 21, 2025

Dear ORUCC,

 

We have so many wonderful opportunities for engagement around immigration justice this season that we thought it would be helpful to read about them all in one place. As we continue to “Welcome the Stranger,” we invite you into ways to learn more and take action through the activities listed below.

 

Welcome Quilts! Sunday, March 23 and March 30, 2025

We have the distinct honor of hosting the “Welcome Quilts” on their tour from the Tucson Historical Museum around UCC churches in Wisconsin! Stop by Friendship Hall and enjoy these beauties! Many of the fabric squares were drawn by children at Casa Alitas. The welcome quilts stand as a way of making a statement, through the arts, that all are welcome here. They are a symbol of beauty and of the world we hope to create. 

This Sunday, March 23rd, after worship, you are invited to an open house to enjoy the quilts and draw a square for our quilters to transform into an ORUCC welcome quilt. The following Sunday, March 30, 12pm-2pm, people from other congregations and the community are invited to do the same.

 

Virtual Know Your Rights Training

Join the Wisconsin Council of Churches and Voces de la Frontera for another Know Your Rights Training in English on March 27th at 9:00am. We invite you to attend as many of these as you can. As allies, we need to know how to act in moments of crisis, and it takes training and repetition! 

 

Led by Ruby De Leon and Voces de la Frontera staff. This training will be recorded. Ruby De Leon is an immigration attorney at Voces de la Frontera. Ruby has a passion for helping underserved communities and provides pro bono legal advice at the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic each month at their only Spanish-serving location at the United Community Center. Ruby is also active within the legal community and is on the board for the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association.

 

To register go to

https://www.wichurches.org/events/kyrenglish

 

Dane Sanctuary Coalition wide meeting, April 3rd, 5:30pm, ZOOM

Matt Kendziera, the new Executive Director of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, will facilitate this meeting, and has invited Pastor Julia to lead us in prayer and a coalition conversation about where we are with sanctuary now. We will also hear from our partners at Centro and Voces de la Frontera, the guiding lights of our immigration justice activities.

 

Border Immersion Trip Sharing & Worship, Sunday, April 27, 2025

Our Border Immersion Trip worship service will be April 27th, the Sunday after Easter! Come and hear about the range of experiences and what in particular impacted the members of our border trip folks. Learn about La Casa de Misericordia, the welcome center on the Mexican side of the border, the water stations of Humane Borders in the Sonoran Desert, the crosses that honor and mark the spot where people died in the desert, and the many extraordinary speakers, music and food that graced our time in Arizona. Stay for a time of questions and answers after service.

 

This particular worship service at ORUCC coincides with a UCC State Wide ‘Immigration Justice’ Sunday worship, and precedes a week of prayer leading up to the always memorable Friday, May 2nd, Day Without Immigrants rally at the capitol.

 

A Day without Immigrants and Workers, Friday, May 2, 2025

Brace yourself for a happening! It’s time for the march and rally of the Day without Immigrants and Workers at the capitol! Join Pastor Julia, members of the ORUCC Immigration Justice team, and hundreds more as we march in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors around the capitol and then into the capitol rotunda. The program starts at Brittingham Park at 3pm, with the march to the capitol scheduled for 4:00pm, then the rally at and in the capitol at 4:30 pm.

 

The event is sponsored by Voces de la Frontera. Themes of the day: drivers licenses for all; accessible education (including in-state tuition for immigrant students); and no collaboration between ICE and Wisconsin Sheriffs.

 

Community Immigration Legal Clinic, March 2025 Compassion Offering

And a final reminder that the March 2025 Compassion Offering is the Community Immigration Legal Clinic (CILC). CILC provides pro bono representation for immigrants facing deportation, and is frequently the last line of defense for people who are in need of information and representation in our legal system.

 

Dane County Immigration Resources Handout (link)

The Immigration Justice Mission Team, knowing that many are looking for ways to effectively engage with the justice issues before us, have prepared a guide to those local immigration justice organizations doing the frontline work of addressing the needs of vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. As you explore these organizations, you will notice some of the organization use social media to spread information, while also communicating behind the scenes in ways that protect their communities.

 

We invite you to (1) LEARN about the work of some organizations; (2) JOIN an organization; (3) SUBSCRIBE to their newsletter; (4) VOLUNTEER where the opportunity exists; and (5) DONATE when possible. Each website has a buttons tab for each of the above.

 

Know Your Rights Training and Volunteer Drivers Program, March 2 and March 9, 2025

We close by celebrating two actions in early March 2025 whose outcomes continue to reverberate. First, know that people from nine congregations and four advocacy organizations were present at the March 2 Know Your Rights training that we held at ORUCC. We passed out multiple copies of immigration-related resources and over 200 Know Your Rights cards. We know that these cards made their way to the Good Shepherd food pantry, into healthcare, grocery stores and restaurant settings, and into our local neighborhoods. The range of people in attendance speaks to the presence and outreach of members of our congregation.

 

The response to the call for drivers for the Volunteer Drivers Program was as eventful as that of the Know Your Rights training. Six members of our congregation joined others from ORUCC who provide essential rides to grateful immigrants and refugees as they fulfill their obligations, pass their security checks, and present their cases for asylum in court settings in Milwaukee, Waukegan, IL, and Chicago. The impact of finding a way to make their appointments lives on in the daily lives of each person on the receiving end of these rides.

 

Many blessings to you!



Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice www.orucc.org | Madison, WI 53711 US

March Compassion Offering: The Community Immigration Law Center (CILC)

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 1, 2025

The Community Immigration Law Center (CILC) provides pro bono representation for immigrants facing deportation.  CILC is frequently the last line of defense for people who are in need of information and representation in our legal system.  The five lawyers and paralegal of CILC are housed at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison.

With representation such as that of a CILC attorney, a person’s chance of success in immigration court increases dramatically. CILC provides both formal representation of clients plus a weekly asylum clinic. The latter provides information that helps many more people to navigate the judicial process. CILC also hosts an immigration consultation clinic twice a month for anyone in the community with immigration-related questions.  CILC coordinates with agencies at the local, state, and national level to support immigrant families in our community and beyond. 

Thank you in advance for your contribution.

ORUCC- Border Justice Immersion Trip Devotional

Orchard Ridge UCC on January 14, 2025

Border Justice Immersion Trip, January 2025

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Scripture, Daily Prayer and Centering Question

These prayers, scriptures and guiding questions are designed for our whole church community to pray and reflect during the week of Monday, January 13th through Monday, January 20th. This is the week of our Orchard Ridge UCC Border Justice Immersion Trip, where 19 people from our community will immerse ourselves in the situation at the US-Mexico Border in Tucson, Arizona, through education, culture, relationships, stories, hands-on activism and advocacy that will transform our minds and hearts. A church is a living organism, and when one part of the organism is changed, the whole is transformed, While a group of 19 are traveling to Tucson for a Border Justice Immersion Trip, we are all journeying together.

Welcoming the stranger, loving our neighbor, providing hospitality to the vulnerable and following God’s guidance of fleeing from captivity or danger in one land into safety in another are all Biblical themes core to our faith. When we do justice work as people of faith, we have the opportunity to root ourselves in God’s active love. We become part of a larger story of God’s love made manifest in the world through the hands and feet of ordinary people loving one another in the name of God. Let us allow heaven and earth to draw nearer in these perilous times. May this week be one that transforms our hearts, minds and spirits so that we can transform the world with ever more love.

You will notice a scripture beginning each day’s devotional related to loving our neighbor or to themes of immigration justice. I recommend that you find a rhythm of breathing as you read it, so that you can embody those texts and let them come alive in you and sink into your spirit. Read the scripture more than once. Notice which word or phrase stands out to you. Allow them to become centering words for your day.

Next, speak out loud or read silently the prayer. Add any prayer of your own to the one provided, or simply sit in silent prayer or meditation, opening yourself to God’s spirit.

Finally, a centering question for your day for you to read in the morning, ponder during the day, and answer during the evening. Our Border Justice Immersion Trip participants will have reflection time some evenings on this trip, and we will bring a response to the centering question of the day to share with one another. For all others, find someone to share with or write in a journal or reflect personally. May God bless you on the journey!

You will find the Border Justice Immersion Trip prayers, scriptures and guiding questions here (please click on the link), following my message above in the document.

With love,

Pastor Julia

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice 1501 Gilbert Road | Madison, WI 53711 US

Dec 21: Interfaith “Longest Night” Gaza Vigil

Orchard Ridge UCC on December 9, 2024

You are invited to join us, Saturday, December 21st 4-6 pm at the West Lawn Plaza near Trader Joe’s
(1810 Monroe St., Madison).

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The “Longest Night” is a service that has taken place in the Christian tradition on Winter Solstice, just a few days before Christmas. It began to help those who are struggling during the Advent and Christmas season.

In this holiday season, we feel despair over the suffering and immense loss of life that has
resulted from 14 months of a genocidal campaign against the people of Gaza and relentless
attacks on Palestinian residents of the West Bank by Israel.

Here in Madison, our vigil and service will provide space for diverse communities of faith and
conscience to stand together in grief and to call for an end to US support for the Israeli attacks
on Gaza and the West Bank, an end to US offensive weapons shipments to Israel and
restoration of humanitarian aid to the people who are homeless, without food, clean water or
medical care in Gaza.

We will hear from representatives of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. Professor Samer
Alatout, a Palestinian, will also speak.

Please bring signs, banners, flashlights or battery powered candles, and dress warmly.

Co-sponsored by the ORUCC Palestine Justice Mission Team, Friends Meeting of Madison (Quakers), the Interfaith Peace Working Group, Jewish Voice for Peace, Mennonite Action Madison and Madison Mennonite Church

Nov 17 Presentation: Observations from the Occupied West Bank of Palestine

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 4, 2024

Join us in Friendship Hall on Sunday, November 17, at 9:00 am for a presentation by Rev. Shelby Jeidy.

In 2022, Rev. Shelby Jeidy (currently serving as Trauma Chaplain for University Hospital) had the opportunity to serve as a UCC Mission Intern in the West Bank of Palestine. Jeidy spent time in Ramallah and Occupied East Jerusalem, working with a UCC Mission Partner on a project of interreligious engagement for peacemaking, as well as advocating for a youth who had been wrongly imprisoned. Join us as Rev. Jeidy shares words and images from this exceptional experience. Baklava provided.

Nov 19: Building Peace and Justice in Palestine/Israel

Orchard Ridge UCC on October 22, 2024

Join us at Christ Presbyterian Church (944 E. Gorham St. – map) in Madison from 7:00-9:00 pm on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 for a conversation on Collective Liberation with Palestinian and Israeli activists Osama Iliwat and Rotem Levin. This event is co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace Madison, Mennonite Action-Madison, and Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ. Register now.

Meet Osama Iliwat: Osama Iliwat’s family is originally from East Jerusalem and was displaced after the “Six Day War” of 1967. He grew up in the West Bank city of Jericho. He has been in the peace world for more than 15 years and co-founded ‘Visit Palestine’ (NGO). Osama is active internationally and within Palestine where he helps his community of Jericho and other communities in the West Bank, helping them to remain on their land and rebuild damaged homes and schools. He also offers political educational tours to visitors in the West Bank and goes to schools to talk with Palestinians and Israelis about non-violent resistance and communication. Osama taught himself Hebrew in order to connect with a wider group of people in Israel and Palestine. He also does trauma and healing work to support people throughout Palestine and Israel. Osama has worked closely with Combatants for Peace. Osama was a speaker for TEDx Jaffa at the beginning of his peace journey and featured in many television interviews.

Meet Rotem Levin: After completing his service in the Israeli military, Rotem participated in a transformational intensive dialogue program in Germany where he got to know Palestinians on a personal and intimate level. He began organizing similar programs in Aqaba, Jordan where he offered the experience to other post-military Israelis and for Palestinian and Israeli medical workers. Now a committed activist and doctor by profession, he travels giving conferences. In 2020, Rotem moved to Beit Jala, a Palestinian village in the West Bank, to improve his Arabic and better understand the Palestinian experience of living under military occupation. When Rotem is not giving conferences for peace internationally, he invests time creating spaces where dialogue can take place for Israelis and Palestinians. Rotem has worked closely with Combatants for Peace.

Updates from MOSES

Pam Oliver on October 16, 2024

ORUCC is a congregational member of MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity). The mission of MOSES is to build collective power to dismantle the systems of mass incarceration and mass supervision and to eradicate the racial disparities in our community that contribute to them.

MOSES is an advocacy group, not a direct services group. It is an affiliate of the statewide WiSDOM network. Working groups within MOSES and the larger WISDOM network advocate around improved response to mental health emergencies, reducing the number of people in jail, improved literacy for young people, restorative justice programs in the schools, reducing homelessness, humane treatment of prisoners, release of prisoners whose incarceration does not aid public safety, supporting public schools, protecting voting rights, and other issues.

Mission Team Meeting October 18

The newly-formed MOSES mission team is the ORUCC implementation of what MOSES calls a congregational core team. Our next meeting will be Friday October 18 1:30-2:30 on Zoom. You are invited to attend if you are interested. This group

  • communicates with the congregation about MOSES activities and issues
  • seeks input from the congregation about issues of concern
  • invites participation in MOSES activities

Zoom information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81650153506?pwd=c48GEXkXEp5pr0wN2svHBzR7VE5dAg.1

Meeting ID: 816 5015 3506
Passcode: 960218 

For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Upcoming Events of Interest

Tuesday October 22 6pm First Unitarian Society, Atrium Auditorium. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will discuss his book Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence with moderator Mark Nichols of the Capital Times and open remarks by Representative Mark Pocan. The book describes the prosecution of officer Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd and reflects on what is necessary for police reform.

Friday November 1 6:30 pm First Unitarian Society Friday Film Series. Poverty and Power. Directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, it is the story of what happens when you bring people with lived experience–their voices, ideas and aspirations–to the halls of power. Flyer

Tuesday November 12. 9 am to 3 pm. Alliant Energy Center. The Homelessness Service Consortium and Wisconsin Homelessness Awareness are hosting a summit that will include educational sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions with fellow community members and elected officials. Registration link. PDF of flyer with information..

Call for Humanitarian Release for Some Wisconsin Prisoners

The “old law” working group in WISDOM advocates for people who are being punished much longer than their original sentencing judges intended. They were sentenced before 2000 when it was expected that people would be eligible for parole. This flyer describes the cases of young people sentenced in the 1990s at the height of the mass incarceration boom who have rehabilitated and should be given a chance to return to their families and old people who are ill and deserving of compassionate release so they can be cared for by their families. This flyer also answers frequently asked questions about long prison sentences, rehabilitation, and second chances. The working group is advocating with state legislators and the governor for the release of these people.

Sept 26 – 7 pm Zoom with Peter Makari

Orchard Ridge UCC on September 11, 2024

The Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin will host a one-hour Zoom session on Gaza at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, featuring Peter Makari, global relations minister for the UCC and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Peter, recently back from Jerusalem, will share updates on Gaza, followed by a Q&A session. This event aims to help faith leaders and communities understand conditions in Gaza and explore ways to promote peace. It will also aid congregations preparing for the 2025 Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting, where delegates may vote whether to adopt the Declaration for a Just Peace Between Israel and Palestine adopted at the UCC’s 2021 General Synod. The event is free and requires no registration. Join us on Zoom.  

Mitri Raheb speaks on September 8 at 7:00 pm in Madison

Orchard Ridge UCC on August 12, 2024

Register now for a presentation Sunday, September 8, 2024, 7:00-8:30 pm at Midvale Community Lutheran Church by the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb. Born and raised in Palestine, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is a co-founder of Bright Stars of Bethlehem. He is founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. Previously, he was the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Described as the most widely published Palestinian theologian, Rev. Raheb is the author and editor of more than forty books.

Raheb will share a presentation in Madison on Sunday, September 8 at 7:00pm at Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd., open to the public. He will provide a firsthand account of the current crisis in Gaza and the West Bank and how the work of Bright Stars of Bethlehem is offering hope in the lives of people experiencing extreme suffering and challenges. Register online here: tinyurl.com/mrrtcm4c

Copies of Mitri’s newest book, Decolonizing Palestine: The Land, The People, The Bible will be available for purchase at the event, and Mitri will do a book-signing.

This event is presented in collaboration with the non-profit Bright Stars of Bethlehem and co-sponsored by Midvale Community Lutheran Church, Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison, and Memorial United Church of Christ, Fitchburg.

June Compassion Offering: Casa Alitas

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 1, 2024

Casa Alitas

The compassion offering for June 2024 is Casa Alitas. Casa Alitas is a non-profit, immigrant welcome center near the border in Tucson, Arizona. Casa Alitas provides a warm welcome, food, clothing, and shelter for a few days for legal asylum seekers who have crossed the border. Casa Alitas provides services to 1,000 to 1,500 guests every day.

The ORUCC connection with Casa Alitas was prompted by a mission trip to the border in 2015. Since then, we have maintained a hands-on connection, through compassion offerings, clothing drives and volunteer time at Casa Alitas.

During the last year in particular, despite unpredictable funding allocations from the federal government, Casa Alitas was the only welcome center on the border that maintained its capacity to welcome all who arrived at its doors.

Casa Alitas needs our help now more than ever. Funds that we provide will keep people from being dropped off as street releases in the city of Tucson. All funds will provide direct services to immigrant families. Funds will

  • Pay for clothing and food provided by Casa Alitas;
  • Buy items for play bags for children; and
  • Pay for transportation to reunite families who have been separated at the border.

Please give generously. Thank you.

VIDEO

You can make a donation by check or online. If by check, on the memo line, please write “compassion” and mail to ORUCC, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711, or donate online from our website.

The link is https://orucc.org/contribute/support/

May Compassion Offering: Middle East Children’s Alliance

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 1, 2024

Showing Compassion for Children in Gaza

Our May Compassion Offering —  Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) — was identified and recommended by the ORUCC Palestine Justice Mission Team. After researching and considering many options, the Team unanimously approved sponsoring MECA as the Compassion Offering, in light of the current, urgent situation in Gaza.  MECA has staff on site in Gaza to respond immediately and directly upon receiving our support. 

MECA was founded in 1988 in Berkeley, California as a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to deliver vital supplies and humanitarian services to children in Gaza.  As MECA’s work has progressed over the years, its activities have included providing direct aid to refugee children in Lebanon and Iraq; water projects in Gaza that bring clean water for children and their families;  assistance to community organizations that help meet Palestinian children’s needs; scholarships for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and educational/cultural programs in the USA to increase understanding about the lives of children in the Middle East and the impact of US foreign policy on people in the region.

Compassion Offering funds raised in May will be directed entirely to MECA’s emergency appeal for the humanitarian needs of Gazan children and their families. Our donations will quickly provide food, water, healthcare and shelter for children in Gaza who are hungry, injured, orphaned and/or homeless.

MECA video:  https://youtu.be/dVVbRQIocKk

The Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 29, 2024

Rev. Diane Dulin, member of ORUCC, traveled to the West Bank and Washington DC February 26-March 6. The following is Diane’s report. Read, pray, and consider sharing the link with a friend.

And some of the Pharisees in the multitudes said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:39-40

The Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation to the West Bank and Washington, D.C. consisted of 23 American Christians – faith leaders (both lay and ordained) representing 12 different denominations – who traveled to Palestine to hear the people of that place describe their reality and send us home with a direct and urgent message. Among our delegation were four UCC participants: our trip leader Rev. Dr. Michael Spath of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Stephanie Gilstrom of Olympia, Washington; Sarah Klokowski of Belmont, Massachusetts; and Rev. Diane Dulin of Madison, Wisconsin.  

Organized by the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace and sponsored by eight nationally recognized advocacy groups1, our delegation met with religious and civil society leaders, Christians and Muslims and Jews, community leaders and everyday residents. We visited a refugee camp, a privately owned farm, churches, non-profit and advocacy NGOs, and public spaces such as the Apartheid Wall and Nelson Mandela Square in Ramallah. We passed through military checkpoints and traveled both Israeli-only highways and Palestinian roads of dirt and stones. 

The message given to us by those we met is this: “The genocide in Gaza is unspeakably horrific. And the violence and strangulation of daily life in the West Bank is crippling. Tell this to your elected officials and public servants in Washington. Tell it to your church leaders. Tell it to your communities back home.”

From those we met, we heard words of fearfulness, anger, grief, and discouragement. Palestinians living in the West Bank feel invisible, abandoned, dehumanized. 

Over and over again, the people we encountered thanked us for coming. They told their stories trusting we, in turn, would return home to speak the truth.

While in the West Bank, we shared lunch at the Tent of Nations farm, owned and worked by the Nasser family, whose deed to the land originated during the Ottoman Empire, long before the founding of the State of Israel. During our meal, two Israeli settlers with semi-automatic rifles strode through the grounds. Upon seeing the two settlers, Daoud Nasser rose, saying, “This is private property.” In response, the settlers made a sweeping gesture as if to take in the entire hillside and proclaimed, “All this belongs to us.” Later, during our advocacy in Washington, D.C., we informed our legislators about settler violence and impunity in the West Bank – always a problem, exponentially worse now, and off the radar for most of the world.

We met with Adam Bouloukos, UNRWA Director for the West Bank.  He told us the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is worse than anything he has seen throughout his long career of first-hand experience with war and disaster. He is worried UNRWA will cease to operate very soon without a reversal of the brutal actions by the United States and other nations to cancel UNRWA funding due to accusations (without evidence) that 12 staff members (out of 13,000 staff in Gaza) were involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas militias. In our meetings with elected representatives in Washington, D.C., we pleaded for resumption of funding for UNRWA.

In Occupied East Jerusalem we visited the Silwan neighborhood. We stood by the rubble of Fahkri Abu Ziab’s family home of generations. His prized home had been demolished by Israel two weeks earlier, on Ash Wednesday, despite legal documents that prove his ownership. He suspects his home was chosen for demolition due to his community leadership and non-violent resistance. Others in the Silwan neighborhood have seen their homes destroyed by Israel to make room for a biblical theme park.

We met with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, and worshiped at his church on Sunday morning. Like many others we met, Isaac was perplexed by the brutal, heartless disregard for Palestinian life now on full display by our country. We Americans lavishly fund this genocide with one hand and drop a paltry number of meals from the sky with the other hand. Pastor Isaac was discouraged and angry, insisting that our churches need to do more to oppose this great wrong. In Washington, D.C. we made the case for following US law which prohibits providing military aid to countries engaged in human rights violations.

The Washington, D.C. portion of our journey expanded in size as area activists descended to join us in advocacy and public witness. UCC PIN chair Rev. Dr. Allie Perry joined us for this political advocacy. In addition to our visits with legislators, we held a vigil in front of the White House, and some of us engaged in nonviolent direct action. The next night, some gathered again, joining other protesters to cause a traffic delay and rerouting of the President’s motorcade on its way to the State of the Union speech.  

On our final evening together, we gathered for interfaith worship, joined by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who wept while describing the children of Gaza killed, maimed, orphaned, and starved. Rev. Graylan Hagler of Plymouth UCC in Washington gave us a powerful commission to prove faithful to our promise of conveying the message we received from Palestinians we met – the Living Stones of Palestine. A final benediction was delivered powerfully by Rev. Shari Prestemon, Associate General Minister and Co-Executive of Global Ministries.                                      

                                                                    

1 Sponsors of the Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation:

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 9, 2024

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

April 2024

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestine Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, click on links or reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

In this issue

  • Palestine Justice. Check out our resources
  • Immigration Justice. Report on the trip to the border by Pastor Julia, Ruthanne Landsness’s five weeks at Casa Alitas, and current issues.
  • MOSES. Forming an ORUCC core team, update on prison lockdowns and call for releasing those incarcerated on crimeless revocations, statement from WISDOM Executive Committee calling for ceasefire in Gaza.

Palestine Justice

From the Palestine Justice Mission Team

Thank you for joining us April 7 for a discussion with Usama Nicola.

Want to learn more? Check out our Recommended Resources at https://orucc.org/justice/palestine.

New members are welcome. Contact Tom Beilman or Diane Dulin with any questions.

Immigration Justice News

Our Immigration Justice Team chair, Ruthanne Landsness, returned from 5 weeks in Tucson and Casa Alitas right before Easter. Ruthanne volunteers at Casa Alitas, the immigrant welcome center in Tucson, AZ. She reports on two highlights in particular during her time there.

 

The first highlight was hosting Pastor Julia for a 6-day visit in Tucson. During her stay, Julia engaged in many of the same activities as those of the ORUCC mission trip in 2015, plus some extras. This included distributing clothing to children and families at Casa Alitas, traveling to Nogales, Mexico to greet asylum seekers waiting for permissions to enter the United States, and meetings with UCC Pastors Randy Mayer and Delle McCormick, UCC clergy deeply involved in immigration justice work. Julia’s reflections on her time of “seeing Jesus at the border” are beautifully captured in her Palm Sunday sermon available on the ORUCC website.

 

The second highlight was being involved in advocacy for continued federal funding of Casa Alitas and other humanitarian aid centers at the border. Due to the failure of federal legislative action, federal funding for Casa Alitas was scheduled to terminate on April 1, 2024, forcing the closure of all but one of the Casa Alitas shelters and, even more importantly, prompting the street-release by Border Patrol of at least 1,000 people per day onto the streets of Tucson. This was all amidst vitriolic theatre and harassment from right-wing activists, including our own Wisconsin Representative. Fortunately, after having prepared for a worst-case scenario, President Biden signed an appropriation that grants funding through the end of June 2024. A big sigh of relief all round, coupled with renewed strategies for funding beyond June 2024.

 

Please use the following links for information about the abated funding crisis and a look at immigration policy from the left and from the right.

Link 1 (Wisconsin State Journal article about attacks on groups aiding immigrants at the border, including Casa Alitas)

Link2 (New York Times article about illegal border crossings)

News from MOSES

MOSES is formally affiliated with WISDOM, a statewide social justice organization. As part of the WISDOM network in Wisconsin, MOSES is fully invested in WISDOM’s actions.

ORUCC is Forming a MOSES Core Team

The Racial Justice Mission Team has received brief reports on the goals and activities of MOSES since ORUCC became an official member in 2022.  Last month RJMT agreed to create a MOSES Core Team, which will initially meet quarterly for one hour. We are happy to report that six people have indicated willingness to participate thus far. The team will dig deeper into learning about the work of MOSES. Ultimately, the team will advise active MOSES participants on questions of MOSES advocacy work to provide an ORUCC perspective.

Pam Oliver, as ORUCC’s representative to the MOSES Leadership Board, and Barbie Jackson, who also attends the board meetings, will receive WISDOM training in May about how to support effective Core Teams within our congregation.  They hope this will assist in developing a deeper engagement in this important work within the ORUCC community. Watch for scheduling in future announcements.

MOSES & WISDOM Update on Prison Lockdowns

Last month WISDOM requested all affiliates throughout the state to issue a statement calling for an end to the Prison Lockdowns. In response, MOSES delivered this press release to 34 media outlets in the Dane County area.  It states in part:

“As Governor Evers looks for a new Corrections Secretary, he needs to make clear that the first priority must be to close GBCI and WCI. The Administration has the authority to do this. About 5,000 people in Wisconsin prisons are there because of a crimeless revocation — they broke a rule of supervision or parole, but did not commit a new crime. The Department of Corrections has complete discretion over whether or not such people are sent to prison. Other states have drastically reduced their prison populations just by cutting back on crimeless revocations — even Wisconsin reduced its prison numbers significantly during COVID in this way. There are fewer than 2,000 people imprisoned in GBCI and WCI combined. Just a 40% reduction in crimeless revocations would enable Wisconsin to completely depopulate both of these prisons.”

WISDOM Executive Committee Message Calls for Immediate, Permanent Ceasefire

WISDOM’s Executive Committee issued this statement to all members of its statewide network. It states in part:

“Normally, as the WISDOM Executive Committee we do not get involved in issues of foreign policy, where we have no expertise. Regarding the current enormous loss of life and humanitarian nightmare in Gaza, we feel a need to make an exception. . . In the same way that the decades of unjust treatment of Palestinians cannot justify many of the actions of October 7, the actions of October 7 cannot justify the brutal bombardment and starvation of people in Gaza in the subsequent five months. There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire.”

Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 5, 2024

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

March 2024

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestine Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, click on links or reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

In this issue

  • Updates from Palestine justice
  • Learn about April 2 ballot amendments affecting elections
  • Volunteer opportunity: Meadowood Center housing navigator
  • Updates from MOSES: Literacy curricula, ending prison lockdowns, treatment instead of prison for mental illness, report from Gamaliel
  • Reports from January 27 meeting on addressing Indigenous issues

Palestine Justice

Please continue to pray for a ceasefire in Gaza. To learn more about Palestine-Israel and our Mission Team’s activities, please visit https://orucc.org/justice/palestine. This page includes a link to Recommended Resources, including links to trustworthy news sites.

Recent updates include:

  • Quilts for Gaza – quilters, fabric donations, and shipping cost donations welcome!
  • Meet Palestinian Christian Usama Nicola on Sunday, April 7 before worship – Mark your calendar!
  • A petition sent to President Biden
  • The webinar recording from Tom and Diane’s January 3 presentation is now available. If you missed their series this summer, this is a great recap!

Constitutional amendments on April 2 primary ballot

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and other organizations urge us to inform ourselves about two items on the April 2 ballot and advocate “no” votes on both. These amendments arise from disputes about the 2020 election and prohibit “outsiders” from supporting efforts to increase voter access. You can read more on Ballotopedia about the pros and cons of Question 1 here and Question 2 here. An article providing more background is here.

Volunteer with Housing Navigator Pilot Program

Our neighbor congregation, Good Shepard Lutheran Church, is partnering with Joining Forces for Families to pilot a Housing Navigator resource for people in our Madison campus neighborhood. They are looking for 3-4 volunteers who would be willing to work with individuals experiencing challenges finding housing. You would get training on how to do this and would make a real difference in people’s lives. If you are interested in working on this exciting pilot program, please contact GSLC’s Director of Outreach Rick Thomas.

News from MOSES

Quality Literacy Curricula for Children

The Racial Justice for All Children task force has been focusing on improving reading ability for all children. As part of this, it has called on MOSES members to support high-quality literacy programs based on the science of reading in a letter-writing campaign to the Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Finance committee. This nationwide movement–which has received bipartisan legislative support–arises from the widespread use of scientifically discredited teaching methods that are especially harmful for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Support letters are needed by March 5 to reaffirm last year’s decision to mandate high-quality curricula only rather a more expansive “minimum standards” list offered by the Department of Public Instruction. You can read more about this issue here.

Treatment Instead of Prisons for Mentally Ill People

Wisconsin law currently supports diversion from jail or prison to treatment programs for people with Substance Abuse Disorder, but not other mental illnesses. WISDOM and MOSES have advocated for expanding eligibility for diversion to other mental illnesses. This advocacy had overwhelming bipartisan support in the Wisconsin legislature, but speaker Vos blocked a vote on the bill. Advocacy continues. You can read more here.

End the Lockdown

MOSES and WISDOM members continue to advocate for an end to the inhumane lockdown in Wisconsin prisons due to staff shortages. A 14 minute interview with WISDOM staffer Mark Rice provides a great deal of information. Capitol Chats with WISDOM re Prison Lockdowns

You can read Gamaliel’s Annual Report for 2023, Gamaliel is the nationwide parent organization of MOSES and WISDOM.

Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES.

Meeting on Indigenous Issues and Building Use

On January 27, Pastor Julia led a mini-retreat to discuss possible ORUCC responses to knowing the history of the land our building is on. Several small groups discussed different themes. Here are their reports. In addition, a committee was formed to consider developing a land acknowledgement. It will report later.

Connections and Actions

(Longer notes by Tom Beilman edited by Jill Westberg)

We will connect with other religious and secular groups already at work and with local Indigenous people.

 

Examples of what is currently happening:

  • 1st Congregational, Appleton contributes money and opens their church to artisan fairs where local Indigenous artists can display and sell their art and their crafts
  • There is a group in McFarland working for the return of the Mounds in McFarland.
  • There is an interfaith group for Indigenous Justice that usually meets at McFarland U.C.C. 
  • Kerri Parker will speak there on March 5th
  • St. Dunstan’s Episcopal in Madison has established a a “voluntary land tax” given to the Ho-Chunk for use of their land. 
  • Other churches have made donations for scholarships, purchase of equipment, and “language reclamation” programs.

What we at Orchard Ridge can do:

  • Be on the lookout for lectures and tours
  • Visit Native museums and other museums with sections on Native American history
  • On-line sources including Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council and Ho-Chunk Nation
  • Books including Patty Loew’s Indian Nations of Wisconsin
  • Take the Sacred Landscape tour offered by UW-Madison Anthropology Department (Since this meeting we are on the waiting list for people 18 and up.
  • Research our land and write a Land Acknowledgment

Kerri Parker emphasized:

  • Need for humility (ask them what is needed)
  • Need to be present on an on-going basis
  • Need to build a relationship. Show up for meetings, activities, etc.
  • This is not a “pity” party
  • Gift-giving, including symbolic gifts, is important to Native Americans

Education for ourselves (Ann Haase Kehl)

Education principles to be honored in the Indigenous justice initiative: generated at discussion on Saturday, January 27, 2024

  • Acknowledge and educate ourselves about the uniqueness of the Indigenous people’s experience of injustice and profound resilience to fully inform our actions
  • Avoid creating emotional labor for Indigenous people consultants through investigation and utilization of existing programs and resources already in place, including public events
  • Support and strengthen each ORUCC initiative addressing Indigenous people injustice by providing background education material for the congregation that includes all generations

Children (John Lemke)

Broadly speaking, our focus was on the education and well being of children, both in our church and in our community. We settled on these ideas:

  • Indigenous people focus on seven generations – parents, grandparents, and great grandparents before us, and children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren after us. We agreed that this framework could help us as we consider how to do all of our work as a church.
  • The public schools are seeing the right things and focusing in the right places, but they suffer from resource constraints. Member Barbie Jackson is on the Superintendent’s Wellness Advisory group.
  • Black families still find Madison and Dane County unwelcoming
  • Connections with other churches, in spite of potentially troublesome theological differences, could be instrumental in doing effective work. Awaken Dane is a program that we might consider. 

Building Use (Pam Oliver)

We discussed past building use by community groups and what would be involved for the future. We considered the problems of sharing the building with MMC and cleaning and setup given only part-time staffing. We wondered whether community groups need spaces or whether they, too, are still slow to return to in-person gatherings. We agreed we should be open to information about needs for space. We also briefly discussed concerns about the large areas of grass on the property.

Land Acknowledgement Task Force

As a follow- up to our January 27 retreat discussion regarding justice for Indigenous Peoples, a Task Force has been charged to develop a Land Acknowledgement Statement for consideration – and ultimately a vote — by the congregation. This statement will aim to:

  • describe the history of the land used by ORUCC
  • acknowledge our nation’s and ancestors’ role in the injustices suffered by Indigenous Peoples related to the acquisition and use of this land
  • affirm commitment of ORUCC to ongoing congregation education and active engagement in Indigenous Peoples justice issues

The process of developing a Land Acknowledgment statement will involve consultation with Indigenous Peoples resources, connecting with other churches, requests for input from church members, education and listening sessions, and ultimately a vote on its adoption by the congregation.

The volunteers for the task force are David Allen, Julia Burkey, Susan Dovell, Ann Haase-Kehl, John Lemke, Kerri Parker, and Jill Westberg. 

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

Report from MOSES

Pam Oliver on March 2, 2024

MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity for Criminal Legal System Reform) is part of WISDOM, a statewide social justice organization, and with Gamaliel, a national social justice network. Gamaliel’s Annual Report for 2023 talks about its support for building a focus on racial equity, immigration justice, integrated voter engagement, transformational justice, and more.

MOSES Supporting Quality Literacy Curricula

The Racial Justice for All Children task force in MOSES is advocating for policies to ensure that all children learn to read and address severe racial disparities in literacy. Children who do not learn to read tend to have behavioral problems at school and end up in the “school to prison pipeline.” Recent advocacy has called for the state to adopt literacy curricula based on the Science of Reading. Members have been asked to advocate with the Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Finance Committee by March 5 to support high-quality literacy curricula.

Background: In the fall of 2023, by bipartisan vote, the legislature passed and Governor Evers signed Act 20, which supports statewide literacy curricula based on the Science of Reading. MOSES supported Act 20. This Act created the Early Literacy Curricula Council (ELCC) which was charged to develop curriculum recommendations based on the Science of Reading. Recommended curricula would be eligible for grants to support their purchase. Districts could still purchase other curricula, except for those that rely on a specific intervention (cueing) that has been discredited, but they would not eligible for grants. ELCC recommended four quality curricula options. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) submitted a much longer list which did not conform to the ELCC’s recommendations and includes curricula that only minimally meet the requirements of the law. According to the law, a Joint Finance Committee vote on March 8 determines which curricula will be eligible for grants. MOSES asked its members to advocate by March 5 with the Joint Finance Committee to support the ELCC’s recommended list.  

Prison Lockdowns

MOSES and WISDOM members continue to advocate for releasing low-risk incarcerated individuals to address the lockdowns in Wisconsin prisons due to staff shortages. During a lockdown, incarcerated people spend 23 hours a day in their cells. People have been denied visitors and access to medical appointments and treatment services. WISDOM transformational justice coordinator Mark Rice was recently approached by a reporter from Wisconsin Eye, who interviewed him for an edition of a podcast called “Capitol Chats”.  The interview centered on Prison Lockdowns.  You can listen to this 14-minute, information-packed interview here:  Capitol Chats with WISDOM re Prison Lockdowns.

Treatment Alternatives to Imprisonment – A disappointing legislative outcome

MOSES members are active in WISDOM’s Treatment Alternatives and Diversions (TAD) task force, which seeks to divert people from jail or prison into treatment programs. The current law only allows the diversion of people with Substance Use Disorder, but people across the political spectrum agree that people with other mental health issues should also be eligible for diversion into treatment. This is one important way to reduce crowding in prisons and jails as the underlying issue for many incarceration people is an untreated mental illness. The bill passed the State Senate 29-3!  It had broad bipartisan support and would have passed the Assembly by a similar margin if Speaker Vos had allowed a vote, which unfortunately he did not. Mark Rice, WISDOM’s Transformational Justice Campaign Coordinator, sent a letter to all State Senators thanking them for their overwhelming bipartisan support for this measure and urging them to make this a priority in 2025.

Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES.

Webinar Recording Available

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 29, 2024

A webinar, “Declaration for a Just Peace Between Palestine and Israel” A Study of the 2021 UCC Resolution hosted by the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC was presented Wednesday, January 3rd. The recording is available here.

This webinar will explores UCC’s 2021 Resolution of Witness describing Israel’s military occupation of Palestine an apartheid system. Note: This is a condensed version of the in-person presentations in July 2023 at ORUCC, with added information about the situation in Gaza. 

Petition mailed to President Biden

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 29, 2024

Motivated by the urgent need to prevent death by starvation of masses of Palestinian men, women and children, members of ORUCC’s Palestine Justice Mission Team sent an urgent petition to President Joseph Biden.

The petition recognizes the vital role that UNRWA (the United Nations Refugee and Works Administration) plays in the lives of everyday Palestinians, including Palestinian families in Gaza facing starvation and imminent death from lack of UNRWA-supplied food. The petition recognizes that President Biden himself has cut off funds for UNRWA, and requests that he restore these critically needed funds. The petition concludes with this call to action:  

“Your administration’s decision to cancel UNRWA funding was taken despite calls from the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations to increase aid to Gaza, in the face of a rapidly rising toll of deaths by starvation and disease. This action to cancel UNRWA funding, taken on the flimsiest of excuses, makes the US complicit in the very genocide the ICJ has warned against. It also highlights the gap between your administration and the overwhelming majority of US citizens, many of whom have marched in the streets demanding a ceasefire, demanding an end to US funding of Israel’s longstanding military occupation, and showing care for and solidarity with the men, women and children of Gaza. We request that you restore funding to UNRWA.”

Read the full text of the petition below. We signed this petition as individual members and friends of ORUCC, and not on behalf of the entire congregation.

February 27, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Request that you restore US funding to UNRWA to its historic level prior to the election of Donald Trump as president   

Dear President Biden:

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison, Wisconsin. 

We urgently request you restore funding to UNWRA to its historic level prior to the election of Donald Trump as president. 

The United Nations Relief & Works Agency (UNRWA) is a hardworking, respectable agency created in 1949 to meet the immediate needs of Palestinian refugees who had been ethnically cleansed from their homes in 1948. The organization runs refugee camps for displaced Palestinians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank, and Gaza. It has three major areas of service: Education (through UNRWA schools), Health (through its clinics), and Social Services. The organization undertakes essential, urgently needed work which is performed by UNRWA staff most of whom are, themselves, Palestinian refugees. Today, UNRWA serves about 5.7 million Palestinian refugees. 

On January 26 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Yet, the very day after this decision was announced, US funding was pulled from UNRWA.   

In an effort to divert attention from this powerful, bold decision by the ICJ, Israel announced without furnishing any proof that 12 out of the 13,000 employees of UNRWA were involved in the attacks of October 7. In response to these accusations, UNRWA fired the 12 accused employees. Yet, this dismissal was not enough for those in the US (and elsewhere) who demanded UNRWA be punished, possibly dismantled, and prevented from continuing its humanitarian mission. 

Your administration’s decision to cancel UNRWA funding was taken despite calls from the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations to increase aid to Gaza, in the face of a rapidly rising toll of deaths by starvation and disease. This action to cancel UNRWA funding, taken on the flimsiest of excuses, makes the US complicit in the very genocide the ICJ has warned against. It also highlights the gap between your administration and the overwhelming majority of US citizens, many of whom have marched in the streets demanding a ceasefire, demanding an end to US funding of Israel’s longstanding military occupation, and showing care for and solidarity with the men, woman and children of Gaza.

We request that you restore funding to UNRWA. 

Thank you.

Sunday, April 7, 9 a.m. – Meet Palestinian Christian Usama Nicola

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 20, 2024

Sunday, April 7 at 9:00 a.m. join us (from home or in the Swan room) for a Zoom interview with Usama Nicola. Usama (pictured below, right) is a tour guide extraordinaire and co-runs an organization–Wi’am: The Palestine Transformation Center — that helps Palestinian children and youth cope with the trauma of occupation. Usama is a deeply committed Christian living in Bethlehem, just blocks from the Church of the Nativity. ORUCC members Diane Dulin and Tom Beilman have met Usama several times, benefiting greatly from his insights as a tour guide and staying at the hostel his family runs.

Usama Nicola (right)

Come and learn about the many obstacles families in the West Bank face as they try to live their daily lives. See and appreciate Usama’s steadfast determination (Arabic: sumud) to persevere in the face of such obstacles. The Zoom link will be posted in the church announcements April 4.

Quilts for Gaza: Quilters Invited

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 15, 2024

The war in Gaza has left thousands of people homeless, injured and critically ill. Many of these people are newborn infants, young children, or teenagers.

Although shipments of humanitarian aid for Gaza are very limited right now, in time it will become possible to send quilts to Gaza. A group of quilters from Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ is preparing for this opportunity by making small quilts for distribution to Gaza via our United Church of Christ Global Mission Partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Can you help?

  • Make a quilt (40″ x 40″ for babies and young children, slightly larger for teens)
  • Share extra fabric, thread, or lightweight batting
  • Donate to help with materials and shipping costs
  • Pray for the people of Gaza
  • Spread the word to others

Contact Diane Dulin for more information. We welcome your questions, ideas, and involvement.

How can I contribute now to help the people of Gaza?

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 2, 2024

You may be wondering how you can help meet the needs of people in Gaza. Here is an annotated list of nonprofits serving Gazans. All are proven, trusted organizations.

Urgent petitions sent to Mark Pocan and Tammy Baldwin

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 1, 2024

Motivated by a need for action, members of ORUCC’s Palestine Justice Mission Team mailed time-sensitive petitions to Mark Pocan and Tammy Baldwin. The petitions highlight Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza—blockage that has led to ordinary men, women and children of Gaza starving and even dying of starvation. The petitions explain that this blockage of aid violates core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation. 

The petitions conclude with a call to action: “Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional (or senatorial) representatives in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue.”

Read the full text of the petitions below for Mark Pocan and for Tammy Baldwin. We signed these petitions as individual members and friends of ORUCC, and not on behalf of the entire congregation.

Request you take a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza

Mr. Pocan,

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison.   

We thank you sincerely for your years of support for the rights of Palestinian citizens living under Israeli military occupation. Unfortunately, we have entered a new period of intense ethnic cleansing by the State of Israel, so more action is needed.    

Right now, today, ordinary men, women and children in Gaza are starving and even dying of starvation, due to Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

This deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is in direct violation of core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation. Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid violates these provisions of the Convention: 

  • Article 33, which prohibits “collective punishment” 
  • Article 50, concerning the provision of food and medical care for children, expectant mothers, and mothers of children under seven
  • Article 56, concerning an occupying power’s requirement to ensure hygiene and public health in the area it occupies.

Israel signed the fourth Geneva Convention in 1949 and ratified it “without any reservation” in 1951. As one of 196 states to sign onto the Convention, Israel is required to follow its provisions. 

Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional representatives in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue. 

Thank you.

Request you take a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza

Senator Baldwin,

We write to you as members and friends of the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ congregation in Madison.   

We thank you sincerely for the actions you have taken in response to the emergency in Israel and Gaza. Unfortunately, we have entered another period of intense ethnic cleansing by the State of Israel, so more action is needed.    

Right now, today, ordinary men, women and children in Gaza are starving and even dying of starvation, due to Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

This deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is in direct violation of core provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which to this day is the most important document governing the protection of civilians in areas of military occupation. Israel’s deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid violates these provisions of the Convention: 

  • Article 33, which prohibits “collective punishment” 
  • Article 50, concerning the provision of food and medical care for children, expectant mothers, and mothers of children under seven
  • Article 56, concerning an occupying power’s requirement to ensure hygiene and public health in the area it occupies.

Israel signed the fourth Geneva Convention in 1949 and ratified it “without any reservation” in 1951. As one of 196 states to sign onto the Convention, Israel is required to follow its provisions. 

Unfortunately, this deliberate blockage of humanitarian aid is supported diplomatically, militarily and financially by the United States government. We request that you partner with other congressional representatives, including Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, in taking a visible stand in support of uninhibited flow of food and medical supplies into Gaza. We need your leadership on this issue. 

Thank you.

With appreciation

Orchard Ridge UCC on January 31, 2024

Out of budgeted church funds in 2023, our Ministry of Christian Witness and Service (CWS) awarded $2,000 in response to the Urgent Appeal extended by UCC Global Ministries. The Appeal was supported by churches across Wisconsin and the entire UCC.

Funds raised have been (and continue to be) forwarded to our Mission Partners actively working in Gaza: the Department of Service for Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) of the Middle East Council of Churches, the and Al-Ahli Hospital (a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem).

The Palestine Justice Mission Team is thankful for this support for the people of Gaza. You can also make additional individual donations to support organizations working in Gaza.

Movie Discussion, Tues, Nov 21, 7 p.m.

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 17, 2023

Many books, films and study guides are available for people trying to make sense of the Israel/Palestine conflict. The ORUCC Palestine Justice Mission Team recommends the widely acclaimed film Roadmap to Apartheid, narrated by Alice Walker. We invite you to watch this film on-line at a time convenient for you. Then join us for a discussion of the film on Tuesday, November 21 from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm at the Alfred Swan Room at church. You can also join via Zoom with this link.

Roadmap to Apartheid is an historical document on the rise and fall of apartheid in South Africa, and a film about why Palestinians feel they are living today in an apartheid system – a view that many people worldwide have come to share. View the film on YouTube, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on August 2, 2023

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

August 2023

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Donate items for MOSES Rummage Sale

MOSES is having a rummage sale. MOSES, of which ORUCC is a congregational member, is an organization that advocates for criminal justice reform and ending systemic racism thus allowing all people to thrive. The rummage sale will be at St. Dunstan’s 6205 University Avenue (Near Allen Blvd) Saturday August 25 8 am to 5pm & Sunday August 26 8 am to 3 pm. Items are sold for the amount the person is willing and able to pay. This policy has worked in the past both to raise funds for MOSES and to allow community people to acquire things they need. 

Items needed (in good working condition)

tools, small appliances, household items, clothing (clean, gently used), books

NOTE: MOSES cannot accept computers, TVs, exercise equipment, sofas, futons, or baby furniture.

If you’d like to contribute items for the sale, there is only a small window of opportunity. Please bring items to ORUCC Saturday or Sunday, Aug 20 and 21 or to St. Dunstan’s on August 24 (8 am to 5 pm). Please don’t bring items to either site at any other time. If you can’t bring items then, there will be a FREECYCLE event at ORUCC in the Spring.
Casa Alitas clothing drive July 2023

ORUCC Immigration Justice Team Thanks All

for Another Successful Clothing Drive

 

The Immigration Team was thrilled to sort, box, and deliver 44 U-Haul boxes of clothing to Casa Alitas in Tucson Arizona this July 2023. A tremendous set of people helped to make this happen, and we extend our gratitude to all.

 

This was our fourth clothing collection drive, held annually since 2019. The clothing drive reinforces the commitment of the ORUCC congregation to immigration justice and our connection with Casa Alitas, the immigrant welcome center near the border. It was a joy to see the education wing at the church fill with donated clothing week after week, culminating with a fun day of loading the trailer of Steve Sheets for transit to Casa Alitas. Steve was met by the welcoming faces of our friends at Casa Alitas.

Casa Alitas Clothing Drive through Beth Israel

If you missed the chance to donate clothing to Casa Alitas last month when ORUCC collected donations, you can donate now until September 29 through Beth Israel Center, 1406 Mound Street (corner Randall Ave) at the bin on the Randall Ave side by the parking lot entrance OR the porch of 611 Prospect Street, both Madison. Please do NOT drop off donations on Shabbat (sundown Friday through sundown Saturday).

General Guidelines

  • New or newly-washed, gently-used items
  • Casual summer and non-bulky winter clothing
  • No underwear
  • Shoes, especially flip flops, sandals or tennies

S, M, L (not XL) men’s clothing

  • Jeans, sweatpants (waist 28” to 34”; length 27” to 32”)
  • Shorts and caps
  • T-shirts; polos; sweatshirts; hoodies

S, M, L (not XL) women’s clothing

  • Jeans, sweatpants, leggings
  • T-shirts and knits
  • Maternity clothes

Children

  • T-shirts and knits (sizes 6 to 18)
  • Pants and shorts (sizes 2 to 16)
  • Baseball caps; hats
  • School quality backpacks (no string bags)

Learn About Justice Issues

Teaching about Indigenous Issues in Wisconsin

A bill has been introduced in the Wisconsin legislature to strengthen the state-mandated social studies curriculum for K-12 education about the history, culture and tribal sovereignty of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands in Wisconsin. There will be Zoom programs sponsored by Taking a Faithful Stance for Equity on Wednesday August 16 and Tuesday September 12 that will provide information about this issue.

Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity is a statewide coalition including both the Wisconsin Council of Churches and WISDOM (organizations ORUCC is affiliated with). It holds monthly statewide Zoom meetings to share experiences and educate people about attacks on public schools, voting rights and other issues. The next meeting will be Wednesday August 16 at 6:30. Please register in advance to get the Zoom meeting link. The speaker will be Brian Ward, an activist and educator who has written about issues of the representation of Indigenous people in K-12 classrooms.

The speaker on September 12 will be David O’Connor, a member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe) and the American Indian Studies Consultant at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, where supports schools districts efforts to provide instruction about Wisconsin’s American Indian nations and tribal communities. Additional information about this presentation and the link to register will be sent later.

MOSES Updates

The MOSES Education Advocacy Group led analysis, testimony, and development of a MOSES position in support of a Joint Legislative Bill to provide statewide requirements and financial support for improved literacy using the Science of Reading approach to instruction and curricula. This is a small step toward further literacy support for children with dyslexia, which is a major MOSES initiative. The amended legislation passed both houses and was signed into law by Governor Evers in July.  Read more about The Right to Read Act here.

MOSES is continuing to advocate Restorative Justice (RJ) in Dane County schools.  Task force members recently met twice with RJ support staff in the Madison Metropolitan School District and forged a framework for continued engagement with RJ coordinators and administrators. 

For more information about MOSES goings-on, see the latest MOSES Newsletter.

MOSES general meetings are the first Sunday of the month 2:30-4:30 with a social time before the meeting 2-2:30. Next meeting is August 6 at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church 6205 University Avenue. or on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81036805998?pwd=SHdMT3hOT253TlRjRUdaRythWE00QT09 (this is the same recurring link as always) Meeting ID: 810 3680 5998 Passcode 640043 Please note that the meeting will prioritize in-person attendees. August Agenda. New attendees are always welcome. General meetings feature racial equity discussions, informational presentations about local issues, and short presentations from MOSES working groups.

News From Our Mission Teams

Racial Justice: Learning about Indigenous Issues

While continuing its concern with issues around racism and anti-Blackness, the Racial Justice Mission Team is discussing ways to educate ourselves and ORUCC about Indigenous issues. One project involves exploring ORUCC’s past support for an Indian boarding school. A small group of people led by Joyce Binder is looking into this issue and we may form a special-purpose mission team around this specific issue. If you are interested in being part of this small team, or interested in education about Indigenous issues more generally or in lifting up other topics for the racial justice mission team to consider, please contact Pam Oliver. We are also discussing create a separate mission team to inform the congregation about activities and issues supported by MOSES.

Wisconsin Faith Leaders Call for a Just and Humane Immigration System – Watch the Video

On July 19, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and the Dane Sanctuary Coalition, in partnership with Voces de la Frontera, released a statement calling for a just and humane immigration system. Over 160 clergy and people of faith, and 34 congregations and organizations, signed on to our statement. 

When President Biden ran for office, he promised to make the immigration system fair, orderly and humane. He said he wished to “undo the moral and national shame of the previous administration.” On his first day in office, he announced sweeping plans to reform decades-old U.S. immigration laws.

But two years later little has changed. Migrants still daily risk death from any number of dangers— lethal exposure to excessive heat or cold, drowning trying to cross rivers, suffocation in semi-trailers, falls from the border wall, outright homicide, and now detention center disasters. Of those who reach here, the vast majority face denial of entry—or even worse, family separation.

Read Rabbi Bonnie Margulis’ statement here, the WFVJ statement with all the signatories here and watch our press conference with the link below.

 

Thank you all for your commitment to immigrant justice!
video of 20 minute press conference about immigration justice. Includes audio.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on June 8, 2023

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

June 2023

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

From Palestinian Justice

A unique opportunity for travel to Palestine

 

“I can tell you from my own experience, if you get an opportunity to travel to the Middle East, and in particular to go behind the walls of the Occupied Territory, like me, your life will be transformed by the experience.” – The Rev. John Dorhauer, President, United Church of Christ

 

We are pleased to share with you this announcement of an extraordinary witness trip to Palestine-Israel, July 8-17, 2023. Led by the esteemed international human rights lawyer Jonathan Kuttab and Columbia University post-doctoral fellow Nyle Fort, the trip includes visits to Bethlehem, Jericho and Hebron, also Al Aqsa (considered the third holiest site in Islam) in Occupied East Jerusalem. Participants will meet with Palestinian Christians, Muslims, Samaritans, Jewish Israelis and internationals who are working to uplift international and humanitarian law. The trip is sponsored by Friends of Sabeel-North America (FOSNA), a leading human rights education and advocacy group for which Diane Dulin serves on the Board of Directors. Questions? Contact us!   

 

Tom Beilman and Diane Dulin 

Casa Alitas 2023 clothing drive

Yes, it’s time to start bagging up those clothes that you haven’t worn for a while and let us transport them to the border to people who desperately need them. The Immigration Justice Team will collect clothing the last week of June (beginning June 25) and the first two weeks of July. Please do not bring clothing to the church prior to Sunday, June 25.

What to bring?

All clothing needs to be washed.

Casual summer and non-bulky winter clothing

No socks or underwear

Shoes are a yes, esp. flip flops, sandals or tennies

S, M, L (not XL) men’s clothing

Jeans, jeans and more jeans

Waist 28” to 34”; Length 27” to 32¨

T-Shirts (love sports themed shirts)

Shorts

Belts (small)

Caps; jackets; sweaters

S, M, L (not XL) women’s clothing

Jeans, lycra pants

T-Shirts and jackets; sweaters

No blouses

Kid’s clothing

Toddler through 16

Consider joining us as we box up the clothing. If interested, please contact Ruthanne Landsness, [email protected]; 608/234-2882. Thank you!

News From Our Mission Teams

Good News about Heart Room!

Heart Room, a pilot project partnership to help families thrive in stable housing, is set to serve more families starting this summer!

One of the eight families ORUCC is supporting will graduate early into permanent subsidized housing. A new family will be enrolled as a result – using funds ORUCC members already contributed for rent assistance.

Four more new families will start this summer.  Rental assistance will be funded by other congregations, individuals, and foundations. Services will be contributed by Dane County and nonprofit partners (The Road Home, Joining Forces for Families, and the Early Childhood Initiative).

ORUCC will help keep this vital mission going, through our Heart Room Mission Team. New members are joining more experienced members as we go forward to support families and to keep learning from this successful pilot program.

Bruce Olsen, a long-time Mission Team member, and Jen Walker, will co-chair the Team effective June 1. Feel free to contact them for more information!

Former chair Helene Nelson, Treasurer John Day, and founding member Megan Piper continue as Team members, joined by new members Susan Dovell and Becky Baumbach.

Thanks, ORUCC friends, for helping young children and their families thrive in our community.

From the Ministry of Christian Witness & Service

In May 2023, CWS members approved disbursement of $600 to The Village Diaper Bank from the CWS discretionary outreach support budget. This gesture was in response to a request by ORUCC member Jordan Brown, a high school senior who featured The Village Diaper Bank and its director, Megan Sollenberger, in an article that Jordan wrote as part of a writing class assignment. Jordan was impressed by the service that the Village Diaper Bank provides to families in our community and wished to do something to support this initiative. She reached out to our CWS team with a request for a cash donation in the amount equivalent to the cost of diapers for 2 children for an entire year ($600). That is a lot of diapers!! Thank you, Jordan Brown, for taking the initiative to bring the work of The Village Diaper Bank to our attention. It provides us with yet another opportunity to live out our congregation’s commitment to justice!

From Racial Justice

Should we reactivate a justice team to support gay and trans people?

In the white christian nationalism (wcn) class sponsored by the racial justice mission team, we discussed how those advocating white supremacy are also supporting patriarchy, opposing abortion rights, opposing environmentalism, and fomenting hate towards gay and trans people.

ORUCC adopted its “open and affirming” stance in 1992 and we are proud that gay, trans, and straight children have grown up in our church knowing they are loved by God and the church. For thirty years, ORUCC members have carried the church banner in gay rights “Pride” marches. Members of ORUCC participated in city-wide coalitions around defending gay rights. ORUCC’s SAFE (Spiritually Affirming Friends Everywhere) created a community of support among gay and straight members and offered educational programs in the 1990s and 2000s. SAFE was eventually disbanded for a variety of reasons, one of them being it was felt it was no longer needed, that gay and lesbian people were fully embraced and accepted by our congregation. As trans adults and children came out among us, we fully embraced them. The 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage seemed to signal a strong move toward LGBTQI+ inclusion and equality in American society.

But now, while our congregation still fully embraces and loves our gay and trans members, the external climate has changed. We have heard from many of our gay and trans members that they are feeling afraid, worried that they will open their doors to find guns in their faces. Pastor Julia has scheduled a second annual interfaith pride service Aug 20th and a Trans Day of Remembrance service Nov 20th. Our OWL (youth sex education) coordinators have been gathering resources from the joint OWL project of the UCC and the Unitarian Universalists.  Perhaps it is time for our congregation as a whole to re-activate its explicit defense of gay and trans rights. Should there be a new mission team formed around defending gay and trans people?
 

June 9 film on humane vs. inhumane prison systems

At First Unitarian Friday June 9, free dinner at 5:30, film at 6:30, discussion after with people impacted by incarceration. “Breaking the Cycle” is a film that contrasts the humane prison system in Halden, Norway, to systems in the United States.

Sponsored by MOSES MinistryTeam, EXPO, JustDane, and UWOdyssey Project.

Admission is free. Advance registration needed for the meal Sign up at Eventbrite link: https://bit.ly/3WEaaIy

Past MOSES events

“Let Justice Roll Down Like a River”

On May 18, Wisconsin State Public Defender Kelli Thompson described her department’s work to a MOSES-sponsored gathering: defending the most defenseless of those accused of crimes in Wisconsin. Thompson’s department has offices in 40 Wisconsin counties and representatives in all 72 counties. Her department handles 125,000 to 135,000 cases a year. It also has two appellate offices that handle all appeals.

“It is a privilege to be advocating for people that have no voice in the system, an overburdened, unjust system,” she said. “We represent the most vulnerable and see to it that their constitutional rights are protected. We see a lot of failure every day: failure of the

system. [For example,] the rehabilitation part is so often missing.”

Thompson touched on many of the issues that MOSES and WISDOM address including: 

the practice of jailing people not convicted of a crime; mental health and the criminal-legal system; children prosecuted as adults. Over 8,500 people leave the corrections system every year, Thompson said, but fewer than 1,000 get the programming they need because our prisons are woefully understaffed.

“The Right to Read”

Members of MOSES’ Education Advocacy Group attended a free screening of the film, The Right to Read, sponsored by The Reading League and Madison College. The film features Kareem Weaver, an Oakland NAACP activist, who believes literacy is our most important civil right. He narrates the stories of families struggling with their children’s reading challenges and the teachers trying to address them. The racial disparities in reading proficiency that existed in Oakland—and the reason they exist—are present in Madison as well and are the focus of the EAG’s current efforts.

Watch for the next MOSES Newsletter in July for a fuller discussion of these two events.

MOSES general meetings are the first Sunday of the month 2:30-4:30 with a social time before the meeting 2-2:30. Next meeting is July 9. Location to be determined. The location and Zoom link for those unable to attend in person will be distributed by email from MOSES and posted in event on the MOSES calendar.

New attendees are always welcome. General meetings feature racial equity discussions, informational presentations about local issues, and short presentations from MOSES working groups.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

Native American Presentation: Celebrating the Tapestry of Humanity

Pam Oliver on May 23, 2023

On Friday June 2 at 7-9 pm and again on Saturday June 3 7-9 pm, Dawn and Art Shegonee will present a multimedia exhibit and program exploring the need for interconnectedness of our common humanity and our relationship to each other and to nonhuman life on this planet. This program is in person at McFarland United Church of Christ, 5710 Anthony Street, McFarland. It is free and open to the public. Please RVSP by sending an email to [email protected]. Please specify how many people will be attending and on which date.

Art Shegonee, a member of the Menominee and Potawatomi tribes of Wisconsin, is a Native traditional dancer, teacher and peacemaker. An ambassador of Milwaukee’s Indian Summer and Call for Peace Drum & Dance Company, Shegonee specializes in teaching tools of respect, nonviolence, conflict resolution and peace. He has provided over 400 schools, libraries, businesses and community centers with educational programs that demonstrate and teach traditional Native American dance and history, positive communication skills and more. Art and Dawn carried the message of peace to schools in the Call for Peace Talking Stick/Talking Circle programs, and they have worked with groups of all ages to teach the program as a means to resolve conflicts respectfully, peacefully and cooperatively in a Native American tradition. In 1995, the Wisconsin Historical Society honored Art Shegonee by including his image in their permanent exhibit, “People of the Woodlands: Wisconsin Indian Ways.”

Hope-and-Discovery-posterDownload

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on May 4, 2023

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

May 2023

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

News From Our Mission Teams

From Racial Justice

white christian nationalism class a success

Over 65 people participated in our nine-week class taught by Rev. Dr. David Anderman on white christian nationalism, including friends from five other congregations.

For many participants, issues related to white christian nationalism are personal. Our discussions were lively, sometimes heated (in good ways), informative, and productive. By the end of the class, we were able to recognize more quickly the underlying white christian nationalist ideology of many current political issues, and to see ways in which the Bible and traditional Christian symbols are mis-used to led legitimacy to unchristian actions.

While we discussed Heyward’s various ‘calls to action,’ we left hanging the question of how ORUCC might respond to these issues. Look for more to come as our class discussions feed indirectly now into the ongoing life of the church.

A longer discussion from David Anderman is here.

From Christian Witness and Service

Our Compassion Offerings make a difference!

 

ORUCC’s February Compassion Offering gave $2337 to Worker Justice Wisconsin, a local organization that advances justice in our community by building collective worker power together with Faith and Labor allies. WJW executive director Rebecca Meier-Rao and program director Robert Christl designated ORUCC as a Community Partner sponsor, invited representatives to its annual Faith Labor Breakfast on May 4 and sent this letter:  

 

We would like to thank you and all of Orchard Ridge for their very generous contribution to the solidarity fund. The amount your congregation raised is impressive, and it will go a long way toward empowering rank-and-file workers to organize and make positive changes in their workplaces. Again, thank you all so, so much.

The March Compassion Offering raised $4234 for One Great Hour of Sharing, an ecumenical offering sponsored in Lent by the United Church of Christ which provides humanitarian and disaster relief in the United States and around the world. The UCC works in partnership with churches and organizations through Global Ministries and worldwide response and recovery networks to assist refugees and victims of natural and man-made disasters. 

 

Thank you to all members of our congregation for your generous contributions! You are encouraged to participate in the process of identifying potential recipients of the Compassion Offering. If you and another member have an idea, please fill out this form Compassion Offering Request Form and the Ministry of Christian Witness & Service will review and consider at one of our monthly meetings. 

 

Opportunities for Action or Service

Casa Alitas 2023 clothing drive

As you transition your closet from winter to summer, the Immigration Justice Team invites you to think twice before you head to the thrift store with those secondary winter clothes. Please save them for the Casa Alitas clothing drive. Casa Alitas is a welcome center in Tucson that provides a warm welcome, clothing, food, and shelter for people enroute to a sponsor and new home in the United States.

Our team will be collecting clothes for Casa Alitas the first two weeks of July, with delivery planned for the third week of July. We will be collecting both winter and summer clothes, also shoes. 

Please help us provide clothing for the increasing numbers of people seeking asylum at our southern border. Thank you!

Learn About Justice Issues

Palestine Justice

Meet, Greet and Learn: An intimate interview with Rev. Don Wagner

Join us for an interview with a remarkable pastor, justice advocate, and friend, Rev. Don Wagner on the release of his autobiography, “Glory to God in the Lowest! Journeys to an Unholy Land.” Wagner’s experience in the Middle East transformed him from “an apathetic, conservative evangelical Christian” to an energetic and courageous advocate of justice for Palestinians in the Occupied Territory, inside Israel and in far-flung exile. Of special interest to some in our congregation, Wagner’s journey from Christian Zionism to a truer perspective on the Holy Land reflects our journey of discovery as we study White Christian Nationalism.

Leopold’s Books Bar Caffé

1301 Regent Street, Madison, WI 

Thursday, May 25 

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Free. Registration is requested (click here): Don Wagner presentation

Tom Beilman and Diane Dulin 

From WCC and Immigration Justice

Wisconsin Legislature Considers Changes for Sweeping Changes to Wisconsin Public Benefits

On April 4, Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly passed a referendum asking if able-bodied adults without dependent children should be required to work in order to receive public benefits. Passage of the referendum has prompted the Wisconsin legislature to put in motion several bills that, if passed, will make sweeping changes to FoodShare, BadgerCare, and Unemployment Insurance to thousands of Wisconsinites.

One bill will make someone ineligible for FoodShare or BadgerCare for six months if they voluntarily leave a job. We all know that there are times when leaving a job is necessary. But what if leaving a job means that you will no longer have access to FoodShare benefits?

Another bill will prohibit automatic renewal of BadgerCare and require recipients to re-apply every six months. Currently, people are required to go through a process of application once a year.

Furthermore, recipients will be terminated from BadgerCare for six months if they fail to report any change to their status, i.e., if they change jobs and perhaps make a bit more money.

In a related bill, legislation will require the Department of Workforce Development to audit 50% of job searches. And another bill will require employers to report if someone declined a job offer.

It is easy to imagine the impact that potential passage of these bills would have on the health and well being of thousands of people in our State. To learn more, please click on this Action Alert from the Wisconsin Council of Churches https://www.wichurches.org/2023/04/injusticeinaction/. 

Thank you.

From MOSES and Racial Justice

Thursday May 18. 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Free event with dinner. “Let Justice Roll Down Like a River: Who Will Defend You?” Kelli Thompson, Wisconsin’s State Public Defender, will speak about the work of public defenders and the increasing need for more public defenders. On the East side at Lake Edge Lutheran Church 4022 Hegg Avenue. Advance registration required by May 8, childcare available, catering by Melly Mel’s. A free will offering will benefit MOSES. The event is supported by a grant from the Ecumenical Housing Fund through the Madison Community Foundation.

Directions to Lake Edge Lutheran: From Monona Dr. turn onto Lake Edge Blvd., then turn left on Hegg Ave. into the church parking lot.

MOSES Supports Funding for Jail Consolidation and Criminal Legal System Reforms

MOSES delivered this letter of support to Dane County Supervisors and the Sheriff on April 20. The letter urged the County Board to approve the additional funding that would allow the Jail Consolidation Project to proceed and to strongly support the many reforms needed to increase justice in the criminal legal system. The Board approved the funding on April 20. MOSES has advocated for change in the criminal legal system throughout the years of debate about the jail and most recently was deeply engaged with the Board’s Black Caucus as they negotiated for the best attainable solution that would create a more humane and rehabilitative facility while also enacting reforms to help keep people out of jail. We are pleased these changes can now proceed. Please contact Pam Oliver or Barbie Jackson if you would like to learn more about MOSES position on the jail and reforms.

MOSES Welcomes New Community Organizer, James Morgan

MOSES is happy to announce the hiring of James Morgan to be our new community organizer, beginning on April 28. James comes to MOSES with a wealth of lived experience and skills in community outreach, team building, policy development, and leadership. Most recently he worked with JustDane as a peer advisor. He has served MOSES as a volunteer in many capacities since its founding in 2013. James looks forward to connecting with MOSES member congregations, including ORUCC in the coming months.

WISDOM’s Madison Action Day – A Huge Success

Hundreds of people from across the state congregated at the Masonic Temple, marched on the State Capitol, and met in all legislative offices on April 27th. Entertainment was provided by the Raging Grannies, organized by ORUCC member Donna Lillethun!

WISDOM is a statewide faith-based justice advocacy group. MOSES is a local chapter of WISDOM. You can see the range of issues addressed around the state in Building the Beloved Community: WISDOM Priorities 2023-25 Booklet. Look for this booklet on the table in the ORUCC Crossroads for information about advocacy work or simply browse it online.

MOSES general meetings are the first Sunday of the month 2:30-4:30 with a social time before the meeting 2-2:30. Next meeting is May 7 at Madison Christian Community 7118 Old Sauk Road (park in the lot at the top of the hill) or on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81036805998 (this is the same recurring link as always) Meeting ID: 810 3680 5998 Agenda is always available in advance. New attendees are always welcome. General meetings feature racial equity discussions, informational presentations about local issues, and short presentations from MOSES working groups.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

Report on white christian* nationalism class

Pam Oliver on May 2, 2023

By Rev. Dr. David Anderman

White christian nationalism is a hot topic right now – nationally and around ORUCC. Over 65 people participated in our nine-week class on white christian nationalism, including friends from five other congregations. Our main text was The 7 Deadly Sins of White Christian Nationalism: A Call to Action by Carter Heyward, supplemented by The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide by Pamela Cooper-White and by various random resources and references I brought in.

For most of the participants, many of the issues related to white christian nationalism were personal. So our discussions were lively, sometimes heated (in good ways), informative, and productive. By the end of the class, we were able to recognize more quickly the underlying white christian nationalist ideology of many current political issues, and to see ways in which the Bible and traditional Christian symbols are mis-used to led legitimacy to unchristian actions.

While we discussed Heyward’s various ‘calls to action,’ we left hanging the question of how ORUCC might respond to these issues. Look for more to come as our class discussions feed indirectly now into the ongoing life of the church.

Here is one of the best short descriptions of white christian nationalism: “The deep story of white Christian nationalism was already fully formed by around 1690, nearly three centuries before the emergence of the New Christian Right. It was woven together out of three stories taken from the Christian Bible: the Chosen People story, the End Times story and the Racial Curse story. Who counted as ‘white,’ ‘Christian,’ and ‘American’ has changed over time But the basic plot line has remained the same: America is a white Christian nation whose power and prosperity is threatened by racial, religious, and national others, inside and outside its borders.” (Source: the Oxford University Press website, an abstract for a chapter of The Flag + The Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy, Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry https:/doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197618684.003.0003

Those of us whose faith commitments include a belief that all ‘others’ are as fully children of God as we are have a responsibility and a call to speak, stand, and act against the ideology of white christian nationalism that threatens our faith and our democracy.

On a personal note: Although I don’t think ‘enjoyed’ is quite the right word to describe my feelings on leading the class, I am proud to be part of a congregation that takes issues like white christian nationalism seriously, and I am happy I was a part of the discussion. My thanks to all who participated. My hope and prayer is that we can avoid the ‘paralysis of analysis’ and move from study to action

*Note: I do not capitalize christian nationalism to indicate that I believe its ideology is not truly Christian.

Attend Worker Justice Wisconsin’s Faith & Labor Breakfast on May 4?

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 24, 2023

Worker Justice Wisconsin’s
Faith and Labor Breakfast
Thursday, May 4, 8-10 am
at Christ Presbyterian Church
944 E Gorham St., Madison
Because Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ is a sponsor-church of Worker Justice Wisconsin, we have been offered a few free tickets for WJW’s annual Faith and Labor Breakfast. John Leonard, Ken Pennings and Paulette Harder will be attending as ORUCC’s representatives, but there are still a few tickets left. Please contact Ken immediately ([email protected] or 608-556-2371) if you would like to use one of the tickets and serve as ORUCC’s
representative at the breakfast.
The speakers for this event are workers WJW has partnered with to recover wages and organize their workplaces. There will also be someone from Starbucks to share the latest in their unionizing drive. This event is a great opportunity to hear directly from organizing workers and connect with faith, labor and community partners who are passionate
about worker justice. 
Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

ORUCC – Clothing & Shoe Drive

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 11, 2023

The Ministry of Christian Witness & Service is Organizing a Children’s Clothing and Shoe Drive

During the Month

of April

The drive will benefit two local organizations at the same time:

1.     Good Shepherd Lutheran Church’s infant to teen clothing pantry. GSLC offers these much needed clothes to neighborhood families and those who come to the weekly food pantry. Currently the clothing bins are running low. GSLC and our area social workers always appreciate donations to families they serve. The pantry seeks gently used infant through teen spring/summer clothing (no shoes, socks, underwear or winter clothing). There is a special need for boys sizes 18 – 20! Spring is a good time for our kids to go through their closets and donate items they’ve outgrown! 

2.     United Way’s Reach Dane program is inviting area churches to participate in a Sneaker Drive to benefit infants and toddlers who are experiencing homelessness. They are collecting NEW shoes of any kind, socks, and underwear for these children. See attached flier for details!

Please drop off your donations in the Crossroads before/after worship on Sunday, April 16th and/or Sunday April 23rd.

We are seeking volunteers to help organize and box or bag donations during and post service on both Sundays. Please contact Giulia Lawrence at [email protected] if you can help out.

Thanks to you in advance for supporting our youngest neighbors in need! Please email LuAnn Greiner at [email protected] with general questions. 
 
 
Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on April 4, 2023

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

April 2023

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Vote April 2

Please remember to vote in the April 2 election. Besides important local races, there is a critical statewide race for Supreme Court Justice between liberal Janet Protasiewicz and conservative Daniel Kelley that will have huge impacts on a wide range of policies in the state.

There are three state referenda on the ballot (along with some local referenda). Organizations that we are affiliated with (including the Wisconsin Council of Churches, WISDOM, and Faith Voices for Justice) are recommending that you vote no on all three state referenda, two on the conditions for bail and one on welfare. The Wisconsin Council of Churches has provided an explanation of the reason for these recommendations.

Housing Advocacy

Do you want to advocate public policy change to promote affordable and good housing for everyone? As a follow-up to the Housing Summit hosted recently at ORUCC, the Wisconsin Council of Churches and Faith Voices for Justice are forming a Faith-based Housing Advocacy Working Group. A first meeting, probably in mid-April, will begin sorting priorities which could be addressed at local, state and federal levels. Indicate your interest by emailing [email protected]. NOTE: The original request was for responses by March 31, so a quick response is best.

Serving our Immigrant Neighbors

Volunteer Drivers Needed

If you are interested in providing rides to asylum-seekers traveling to Milwaukee and Chicago for their interviews, hearings, and other appointments, please contact Dan Zimmerman: [email protected] or 608-241-1158. Dan will put you on a distribution list and contact you to see if you are available when someone needs a ride. He will also arrange a virtual training session for you. The training provides an explanation of the roles and responsibilities of a volunteer driver, and basic information about the judicial processes that you may witness.

Short-term Home Hospitality Needed

If you might be able to provide a room in your house for a few day to a few weeks for asylum seekers in Dane County, please click on the link to fill out a sign-up form. Filling out the form does not obligate you. Instead, it puts you on a distribution list so you can be contacted about your availability if/when a need arises. Asylum seekers have been carefully vetted by local immigration attorneys or the Dane County immigration office. For more information, contact Rabbi Bonnie Margulis at 608-513-7121 or [email protected].

Learn About Justice Issues

News from Casa Alitas

ORUCC Member Ruthanne Landsness wrote reflections about her most recent trip to Casa Alitas.

Palestine Justice

United Church of Christ calls on President Biden and Congress to hold Israel accountable, end military aid

On March 10, leaders of the United Church of Christ, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and six other Christian organizations sent a prophetic letter to President Biden and members of Congress. In this letter, they called for “urgent action… to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing and flagrant violations of Palestinian rights.”

The letter laments the “lack of accountability for Israeli killings of civilians, ongoing land expropriation, home demolitions, settlement expansion, movement restrictions, and other gross violations of Palestinian rights,” and asserts that “The U.S. bears at least partial responsibility for this reality because of its uncritical support – politically, diplomatically, and financially – for the Government of Israel and its failure to demand accountability.”

Noting that “U.S. funding to Israel in part sustains this violence,” the letter calls for the U.S. government to “hold Israel accountable for its abuses including by cutting military aid.”

To learn more (click here): Global Ministries article

 

Tom Beilman and Diane Dulin

MOSES Updates

Remember Madison Action Day, April 27!

ORUCC member Donna Lillethun is also a member of Raging Grannies. She has organized the Grannies to join their vocalization forces with MOSES members to sing in Madison Action Day with songs for justice and equity. Don’t miss it!

Register here to join WISDOM leaders from across Wisconsin to promote our values and priorities as legislators work to finalize the 2023-2025 state budget. Come hear the Raging Grannies introduction to the morning plenary and then join the plenary session, followed by lunch, and visits with our Madison-area legislators. There will be a Zoom orientation session at 6:30 on April 13 register for Zoom orientation

MOSES Takes a Stand – New Issue Adopted

In March, MOSES adopted a strategic issue calling for Eviction Records Retention Reduction. Wisconsin state law mandates a 20-year retention period for eviction records, which places a significant, long-term burden on families who need stable, affordable housing for the well-being of their children. MOSES opposes this unreasonable and unjust law and supports a change in the law to reduce the retention period for most cases. MOSES has a developing relationship with Legal Action of Wisconsin, who brought this issue to our attention through Attorney and Dane County Supervisor Heidi Wegleitner. Watch for future public information sharing updates.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

Reflections – Casa Alitas and the Borderlands

Ruthanne Landsness on April 1, 2023

March 12, 2023 One by one, they enter Casa Alitas, dragging large, orange onion bags containing all their belongings, all dressed in the same dark blue paper-like ‘scrubs’ they were given by Border Patrol. With the exception of women with young families, they have spent the last few days in a detention (prison) camp, a congregate setting, sleeping on a hard floor with foil ‘sheets’ and eating frozen burritos. Some left home one-two weeks ago, many left home one-two months ago. The majority of them have made their way by foot, van, or air (for those with money to fly) to our southern border where they have stepped onto American soil to claim asylum.

Guests arriving at Casa Alitas. Adults and children and onion sacks of possessions.
Guests arriving at Casa Alitas

I have tried many times to put myself in the shoes of these guests arriving at Casa Alitas. Would I ever make the decision they have made, leaving their home country and, for many, leaving loved ones behind? In talking with them, they tell me that it was a difficult but necessary choice. Many of them shutter as they talk of armed men knocking at the doors of their homes, demanding money that they may or may not have, holding their children ransom if they don’t give what they have. They seek security and freedom from fear. Younger men say they have been told that there are jobs in the United States. They yearn to work so they can send money back to their families. Whenever I feel a hint of feeling sorry for myself, these are the people I think of. It doesn’t take long to change me around.

So they come; many, many come, with few possessions, but lots and lots of Hope. And I am so fortunate to be in a position to greet them. As many of you who are reading this know, I am a volunteer at Casa Alitas, the immigrant welcome center in Tucson, AZ. Casa Alitas is here to provide guests a welcome to the United States, an opportunity for a shower, clothes (like those from ORUCC and MMC), and a warm bed and food for a day or so, until arrangements are in place for the next step of their journey to their sponsors.

Radical hospitality!

Guests are greeted at the doors of Casa Alitas with a warm smile, a “Bienvenido,” and, yes, a COVID mask. They arrive in groups of 30 or so via a Border Patrol bus. Following a group brief introduction to Casa Alitas, they sit in rows of chairs where they wait their turn to sit at a table across from people like me to do “intake.” There aren’t many volunteers who are bilingual and available to do intake, so we are in high demand. Of the 100 or so people per day who volunteer at Casa Alitas, I would guess that only 10-15 of us are fluent English-Spanish speakers.

Even though each of us doing intake is gathering the same basic information needed to set up arrangements for food, housing, and travel, I have noticed that each of us has a slightly different approach and way of asking the questions. Mine was inspired by watching my now-friend, UCC Minister Delle McCormick. Think of how our pastors would greet this set of people and marvel at how they seem to find just the right words for the moment. That is what Delle provided for me a number of years ago. I now adapt that to the present.

I know I’m not supposed to do this due to COVID concerns, but I greet everyone with a warm handshake. (Only 1% of our guests tests positive for COVID). I say a silent prayer as I hold their hand. I take a few deep breaths with them and I can feel the release of anxiety. I think they are starting to feel safe. Many break out with warm smiles.

I introduce myself as Ana (Ruthanne is far too difficult for the moment) and ask their name. I show them their name when I enter it into the computer and ask them to check it to make certain it is spelled correctly. This brings another smile – recognition that I know who they are and a sense they can trust me. I explain that I am going to enter information into the computer from their papers so that the people in the next room at the Help Desk will have the information to help them with transportation to their sponsors. They immediately pull out their papers and give them to me. We’re on our way!

The 2-3 pages of looseleaf papers that they give me are now their only ID. Their passports had been confiscated and then tossed by Border Patrol. (Yes, I have seen big piles of passports stashed at the border). The first set of information I ask about is very basic: name, DOB, their new ID number, at what entry point they were registered by Border Patrol. And then the more sensitive information: Are you traveling alone? Were you separated from any family members? I show them the dates that they are to appear in court, the first in about two weeks to confirm their presence in the United States, the second in anywhere from 6 months to 3 years for their first opportunity to plead their case for asylum.

Sometimes I have the opportunity to share one of the welcome postcards from our Madison congregations. They thank me in disbelief that people from a place called Wisconsin would be thinking about them! I love asking the men if they are pregnant – I tell them it’s a question on the form. This never fails to bring a smile and chuckle to the guys, especially the younger men. One said with a chuckle, “That’s the one thing I’m sure about. No, I’m not pregnant!”

I hope I am conveying the emotionality of this moment for these new arrivals. It can certainly be a special moment for me. These moments, especially these initial ones, stand in dramatic contrast to how many have been treated in recent days and weeks. It’s hard for me to accept, whether one agrees with an immigration policy or not, why people are not treated with respect and dignity. But that’s a topic for another day.

Many people ask me how many guests arrive per day at Casa Alitas. The answer is that, just as in past years, the number of guests varies from day to day. Border Patrol notifies Casa Alitas only about an hour before they drop off a busload of people. On one recent day, we welcomed 175 people; on another day we welcomed 547. When I volunteered here the last time, most people were coming from Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba. Now the majority are coming from Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, and even some from India (I can now do an interview in Punjabi!). There is always at least one busload of Moms with small children. And there is also always one busload of singles, i.e., men traveling alone. And today there was a set of people from Africa, so we were searching for people who could speak French!

After intake, people are asked to go to another area in the room for a COVID test. Nearly everyone tests negative. Those who test positive are immediately isolated and transported to an off-site hotel managed by Catholic Social Services and Casa Alitas staff for a several-day stay. For those who test negative, it’s off to the next room for a meal and a visit to the Help Desk, where staff arrange bus and phone travel to their sponsors. Some guests do make their own bus or flight plans, but most wait for help from staff at the Help Desk to find less expensive flights and better connections than doing it on their own. From this point, it’s off to my favorite part of the day: taking people to the Tienda de Ropa or clothing area.

Mike and Ann Kehl in the Tienda de Ropa with Christy V., Volunteer Coordinator

After the rush of intake, I appreciate that I have the liberty to be a “floater” and do whatever needs to be done. Day before yesterday, I met “Shirley” at intake, a lovely young Latina from Colombia making her way to Sacramento, California to join her husband. I saw Shirley sitting alone with her phone and sat down to talk with her.

She so wanted to take a shower. She didn’t want to wait for a shower in the hotel room where she would be staying that night. I showed her where she could wait in line. A few minutes later she emerged with her long wet black hair hanging down her back and a big smile on her face. I escorted her to the clothing area. This room is the landing place for the clothes from our Madison congregations.

Shirley’s eyes popped at the racks of beautiful clothes. After a short time, she found a pair of pants and a top that she liked. I knew the top would be too short at the midriff but it was clearly what she thought she wanted. She went into the dressing room and tried things on. In a few minutes, she emerged with the top on and a quizzical look on her face. “What do you think about the top,” she asked. I decided to respond with a quizzical look, too. It was important that it be her decision. She responded to my look with a question, “Too short?” I said, “Let’s find a better one.”

We found the perfect top that she tried on and liked. Remember that she was headed to Sacramento. And, sure enough, I looked around and spotted the perfect jacket for her. It was indeed a beautiful jean jacket with embroidered flowers on the front, back, and sleeves. She put it on, and it fit perfectly. Shirley beamed. I said, “It’s Miss California!” For those old enough to remember it, in my mind I could hear Bert Parks singing, “There she is! Miss America!” Big smile. Shirley dropped her former travel clothes in a big bin and strolled out the door, carrying herself like a new woman. Showered, dressed, and ready for the next step of her journey. Granted, this all could have occurred at a local Kohl’s or Penney’s in Madison, but its significance for Shirley at this point and time and place cannot be overestimated.

I’m sure you get a sense of how full the days have been. I’ve been in Tucson now for over two weeks (although the first days don’t count because I was recovering from two 13-hour days of driving). The evenings have been full, too. One of the first evenings was with the Tienda de Ropa volunteers. Peggy Gessner, the person who has met Steve Sheets when he delivers our clothing shipment, sends a shout-out to everyone. Then there was the Casa Alitas community forum the next night, 167 volunteers in attendance, when it was announced that they will be opening a larger center near the current Casa Alitas within the next few weeks. Last night I attended a meeting of the Tucson Samaritans, a group of activists who do “water drops” in the desert areas along the migrant trails. Next week I’ll be driving to the border with a Samaritan friend.

And it hasn’t been all work, no play. The first weekend I didn’t miss the Tucson Jazz Festival, and last weekend was the Tucson Book Festival, largest non-profit festival in the United States, held on the University of Arizona campus. And who did I get to see there but our own Madison-based best-selling author David Maraniss, talking about his new book on Jim Thorpe. This weekend it’s down to Sahuarita, AZ with Ann and Mike Kehl for some time at the Good Shepherd UCC coffeehouse with local folk musician, Larry Worster. On Monday, I’m thrilled that my sister Karla and husband Pat, who are vacationing near Phoenix, will be here to visit. And those of you who know me know that I love good food, so I’ve been keeping some of my favorite Tucson restaurants busy.

And one last personal note. My social network has changed dramatically since the first time I came to volunteer in Tucson six years ago. I came the first time not knowing anyone. Yes, some would call that crazy, I know. But I believed in the humanitarian work of Casa Alitas and felt I could help. Now I am greeted at Casa Alitas with hugs and “so happy to see you again,” dinners with friends like Marian who is ORUCC Jill Westberg’s cousin, and an actual welcome party organized by friends and colleagues here. Know that people here know of the faith-based justice activities that we do in Madison, and they are with us, as we are with them. When I introduced myself as part of the Mennonite worship service last Sunday, several people greeted me after worship with recognition: “Ah. Welcome! You’re with the church that brings clothes to Casa Alitas.” I now extend that greeting to you.

Juan Carlos, who has just discovered a cat in the Tienda de Ropa

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on March 7, 2023

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

March 2023

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Faiths Connect for Climate Action

ORUCC members are invited to the next in person meeting of Faith Connect for Climate Action.

Date: Sunday, March 19, at 1:30 pm

Location: Middleton Community United Church of Christ, 645 Schewe Rd, Middleton, WI 52562

Registration: https://forms.gle/buvhcGEDE3L1dnbu5.

At this informal get-together, we can learn about energizing Green Teams and our congregations. We’ll hear from some Green Teams around the Madison area, and then break into small groups to discuss, connect, and support each other. The meeting will run for about an hour, with optional socializing and snacks afterwards. We encourage people to reduce gas usage by carpooling, biking, and taking public transportation. Let us know on the registration form if we can help with transportation. Wisconsin Creation Care Ambassadors and the Madison faith team of Citizens’ Climate Lobby are hosting this free event. If you have any questions, please email Heather Phelps at [email protected].

Faith-Based Advocacy Opportunities

Interfaith Day of Advocacy

Tuesday, March 21 from 9 am – 2 pm

Join Faith in Place and the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin’s Interfaith Day of Advocacy to advocate for hunger relief, climate justice, and clean water in the Wisconsin State Budget!

After a morning of preparation at First United Methodist Church in Madison, constituents from across the state will travel to the Wisconsin State Capitol to speak with their legislators. Registration and the day’s agenda are available here; lunch is included! Questions? Reach out to Alexander Malchow: [email protected]

WISDOM Madison Action Day

April 27, 9 am

Madison Masonic Center, 301 Wisconsin Ave.

Join WISDOM leaders from across Wisconsin to come together around the values that drive our work–and to share those values and priorities with our legislators as they work to finalize the 2023-2025 state budget. A morning plenary will include participants from all WISDOM affiliates. After lunch, members from each WISDOM affiliate visit with the legislators who represent their geographic areas to advocate for our issues. MOSES is organizing legislative visits with Madison-area legislators. This is a great way to learn about the broad impact of MOSES and WISDOM’s advocacy work. Register here

A booklet declaring WISDOM priorities will be printed prior to the event. A sample 2021-23 booklet is available at this link and copies are available at ORUCC’s Crossroads table.

Celebrate Ramadan with our Muslim Neighbors

Faith Voices for Justice’s 7th annual Ramadan Interfaith Iftar (break the fast).

April 1 at 7:00pm, Kromrey Middle School, 7009 Donna Drive, Middleton WI.

The evening will include a brief program, time for Muslim prayer, a delicious pot-luck meal, kids’ activities, and a great time for connecting with old friends and making new friends across faith traditions! We also will sponsor our annual fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank, honoring the Muslim tradition of zakat – charity.

To RSVP please click here To sign up to bring a dish to share and/or to volunteer, please click here Thank you to Glass Nickel Pizza for donating pizza! Thank you to Jewish Federation of Madison for their support of this event!

Serving our Immigrant Neighbors

Volunteer Drivers Needed

If you are interested in providing rides to asylum-seekers traveling to Milwaukee and Chicago for their interviews, hearings, and other appointments, please contact Dan Zimmerman: [email protected] or 608-241-1158. Dan will put you on a distribution list and contact you to see if you are available when someone needs a ride. He will also arrange a virtual training session for you. The training provides an explanation of the roles and responsibilities of a volunteer driver, and basic information about the judicial processes that you may witness.

Short-term Home Hospitality Needed

If you might be able to provide a room in your house for a few day to a few weeks for asylum seekers in Dane County, please click on the link to fill out a sign-up form. Filling out the form does not obligate you. Instead, it puts you on a distribution list so you can be contacted about your availability if/when a need arises. Asylum seekers have been carefully vetted by local immigration attorneys or the Dane County immigration office. For more information, contact Rabbi Bonnie Margulis at 608-513-7121 or [email protected].

Learn About Justice Issues

Join ORUCC’s white christian nationalism Class

White christian nationalists are claiming to speak for Christians when they attack racial diversity, LGBTQ rights, abortion, and election results. ORUCC member Rev. Dr. David Anderman addressed some of the challenges of white christian nationalism with a guest sermon on February 12. The Racial Justice Mission Team has been discussing this issue for over a year and thinks it is time to bring it to the congregation. We asked David to write a statement about this issue for the ORUCC website.

An eight-week study group takes place on Tuesday mornings 10:30-12 and Thursday evenings 7-8:30, from February 28 – April 18. The study group will be hybrid (in person and virtual on Zoom) in the Swan seminar room at ORUCC. You can still join even if you missed the first class meetings. Email David Anderman [email protected] if you would like to join the class.

“The Big View” with the Dane County Sanctuary Coalition

The Dane Sanctuary Coalition steering committee invites our member congregations

and organizations to participate in our first-ever “Big View”. Like UW Madison’s “Big Read,” it is an opportunity for interested members to gather in a shared experience of having read the same book or watched the same video(s) to learn more deeply about immigration issues and the realities of living undocumented in our society.

The coalition chose Living Undocumented as our first Big View offering because it pairs individual faces and personal stories with the often-abstract issue of immigration. It broadens our understanding of who is undocumented in our country, and why. We hope this will be a rich source for discussion and learning.

 

You can preview the trailer HERE!

Learn About Police-Free Schools

ORUCC members Pam Oliver and Barbie Jackson of the Racial Justice Mission Team have been meeting monthly with an informal group looking to build support for police-free schools, believing that police in schools are especially harmful for Black students and other students of color. At a recent meeting, “Moms on a Mission” volunteer Kaziah Anderson told us a story about how she was able to prevent a fight between students with a humane, friendly intervention. Pam posted the story on Facebook and in a blog. Read Kaziah’s Story

MOSES Updates

In response to the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police in January, MOSES adopted an issue to Stop Police Brutality against Black Men and Boys and All People.  The Public Safety Task Force will develop followup actions soon.

Also in January, MOSES adopted a strategic issue calling for Dyslexia Evaluation and Treatment for kindergartners in the Madison Metropolitan School District, beginning with five pilot schools. The Education Advocacy Group is pursuing a comprehensive action plan to promote this measure.

MOSES 2022 Yearbook and Feb-Mar Newsletter are now available at the Crossroads table and at the links provided.



  • The yearbook includes updates on the advocacy work of MOSES’ three task forces, the launch of WISDOM’s Transformational Justice Campaign, and a number of other articles. 
  • The newsletter includes important information on the pending Bail Amendment which will be on the April ballot as well as explaining why the cash bail system discriminates against lower-income people. Other articles discuss white christian nationalism, MOSES’s upcoming Madison Action Day about the state budget, and a discussion of state efforts to improve employment for formerly incarcerated people. There is also an inspiring story of a returning citizen who was formerly incarcerated and how he has worked to turn his life around.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on February 7, 2023

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

February 2023

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Immigration Justice in Action

The Volunteer Driver’s Program

 

Since 2019, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition has made rides available for asylum seekers to Milwaukee and Chicago to help them get to their asylum interviews, court hearings, and other appointments that are critical to determining their legal status and ability to stay and work in the United States. 

Most recently, Mark Bauman, a member of our Immigration Justice Team and member of the Madison Mennonite Church, provided three rides to people in need of transportation. We invite others to do the same.

If you are interested, please contact Dan Zimmerman at [email protected] or call him at 608/241-1158. Dan will put you on a distribution list and contact you to see if you are available when someone needs a ride. He will also arrange a virtual training session for you. The training provides an explanation of the roles and responsibilities of a volunteer driver, and basic information about the judicial processes that you may witness. Consider tossing your name in the ring. You may even find it an opportunity to use Google translate!



Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Providing short-term home hospitality to asylum seekers and refugees

 

Do you have a spare bedroom, an in-law apartment, or other possible accommodation for a short-term houseguest? The Dane Sanctuary Coalition is recruiting volunteers who are willing to provide short-term home hospitality to asylum seekers in Dane County. 

 

The need for short-term housing is particularly acute for asylum seekers because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not release them from detention without an address where they will be staying. These are folks referred to the Dane Sanctuary Coalition through local immigration attorneys or the Dane County Immigration Office. As a result, they have been carefully vetted in every way.

 

We invite you to consider providing your home for a few days to a few weeks while the referring attorney or agency works to find more long-term housing. If interested, please click on the link to fill out a sign-up form.  Filling out the form does not obligate you. Instead, it puts you on a distribution list so you can be contacted about your availability if/when a need arises.

 

Questions? Contact Rabbi Bonnie Margulis at 608-513-7121 or [email protected]. Thank you.

Heart Room Seeks New Partners

Heart Room is ready to grow! Families served in this partnership are meeting goals for thriving in stable housing, with Heart Room support. We plan to add 4 new families in 2023. Dane County has funded professional services. We, the Heart Room partners, are working to raise rental assistance from other congregations and community partners.

Learn more

Pick up a paper brochure about Heart Room successes on the table in the Cross Roads or download a copy.

Hear a Heart Room presentation, 4-5 p.m. Sunday February 19, at ORUCC. (We’re sharing our story with folks from Madison Mennonite and other congregations – as we seek new partners and rental assistance support.)

Help Identify new partners

Can you help identify new partners who could be willing and able to support Heart Room expansion? It costs an average of $21,000 per family for three years of partial rental assistance. Please be an ambassador and tell others about this program.

Please share any leads about potential donors with Bruce Olsen [email protected] or Helene Nelson [email protected] so we can plan to follow up.

Be sure to vote in the Feb 21 Supreme Court primary

ORUCC Partner Faith Voices for Justice reminds us that there is an important primary on February 21 getting too little attention that includes a state supreme court election. The Court will be deciding cases on important issues including voting rights, gerrymandering, LGBTQ rights including marriage, gun control, school choice, and more. There are four candidates, two liberal and two conservative. The top two will advance to the April election.

The February primary historically has very low turnout and depending on the mix of who votes, it is possible that two conservatives or two liberals could advance to the April election, giving April voters little meaningful choice. The Court currently has a 4-3 conservative majority. This election could either consolidate the conservative majority or shift the balance. Justices serve 10 year terms.

Ballotpedia has information on the importance of the Feb. 21 primary and who the candidates are for the State Supreme Court. The Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign has a Congregational Checklist for the Feb. 21 Primary with important information and dates leading to the election. Finally, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin has a helpful fact sheet on the State Supreme Court and has launched their Vote 411 website for the Spring election. The League of Women Voters held an informational forum on the ballot initiatives. You can watch the 90 minute recording.

Other Opportunities to Help

Contribute to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund Many neighborhood families struggle to find the dollars to buy groceries all year round, so ORUCC expanded the Thanksgiving fund to a year round opportunity to address hunger in our community. The ORUCC Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund provides food assistance year-round. Our social work partners distribute food and gas gift cards to Southwest Madison neighbors – purchased via donations to our fund. You can make at any time by going to https://orucc.org/contribute/support/ and clicking on the link-box “Contribute to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund”  Thank you!

Moms on a Mission is a grassroots group of mothers and others who show up outside East High School every day to foster a nonviolent environment by being present, creating relationships, and de-escalating conflict. There is a special need for volunteers to be present at East High during the lunch period, to distribute snacks and provide a friendly face. You can also help this mission by contributing money to pay for snacks for the youth that MOMs distributes during the lunch period. To read more about this mission and donate for snacks or volunteer see https://justdane.org/moms/. JustDane is acting as the fiscal agent for these contributions.  

Updates From Our Mission Teams and Groups

From Racial Justice learn about white christian nationalism

White christian nationalists are claiming to speak for Christians when they attack racial diversity, LGBTQ rights, abortion, and election results. ORUCC member Rev. Dr. David Anderman will address the challenges of white christian nationalism with a guest sermon on February 12 and an eight-week study group on Tuesday mornings 10:30-12 from February 28-April 18. The study group will be hybrid (in person and virtual on Zoom) in the Swan seminar room at ORUCC. The Racial Justice Mission Team has been discussing this issue for over a year and we think it is time to bring it to the congregation. We asked David to write a statement about this issue for the ORUCC website.

Palestine Justice

Offer of a fellowship position rescinded for noted human rights defender

Kenneth Roth, the recently retired Executive Director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), was delighted when Harvard’s Kennedy School reached out and informally offered him a human rights fellowship. All that remained to solidify the offer was an approval by Kennedy School’s dean, Douglas Elmendorf. 

During an introductory conversation, however, Elmendorf posed an odd question: Do you have any enemies? Roth replied that creating “enemies” is an expected hazard for human rights defenders. China and Russia had imposed personal sanctions on him, and several governments hate him. He added that the government of Israel likely detests him as well, as HRW had studied and documented the situation in Palestine-Israel and labeled Israel an apartheid state. A couple of weeks after this conversation, the Kennedy School withdrew its invitation to Roth — a move that triggered widespread condemnation, after which the school restored the fellowship opportunity. For more information: The Guardian Opinion Piece.

Roth’s story sheds light on the price paid for speaking about Israeli transgressions. For lesser-known individuals, the decision to speak out can bring an end to a promising career.

Tom Beilman and Diane Dulin

ORUCC Hosts Faith-Based Housing Summit

On January 31, ORUCC hosted the Faith-Based Housing Summit, sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches and Faith Voices for Justice. This well-attended event featured speakers on the affordable housing crisis, possible church responses including use of church land and buildings for housing, and other factors related to housing development. The slides and possibly video from these presentations will be available in the future on the Wisconsin Council of Churches website – https://www.wichurches.org/

After a scrumptious lunch hosted by ORUCC’s catering mission team, participants gathered at tables to discuss possible church responses – from public policy advocacy to direct help for people in need of housing. One group discussed ORUCC’s Heart Room initiative – a model that can be scalable and adaptable to serve various groups.

From Racial Justice

The Wisconsin Faithful Stance for Equity partners have collected Teach the Truth recordings for 2022. Local people tell the truth about our history in short (5 minute or so) statements about history. Check it out. 

The racial justice mission team welcomes new members. We are seeking to expand our programming on racial justice issues and are looking for your ideas about what you’d like to see. Contact [email protected] if you would like more information or to make suggestions. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9 – 10:30 am via Zoom. We are open to adjusting meeting times for new members.

We are also discussing forming a separate group to work specifically on bringing MOSES issues to the congregation.

MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity)

ORUCC recently joined MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity and Solidarity). MOSES is a grassroots, interfaith, nonpartisan, racially-mixed, non-profit organization working for transformative justice in Dane County and Wisconsin that is part of WISDOM, a statewide organization with chapters in multiple cities. Most of our members belong to faith communities, but others are unaffiliated individuals committed to social justice. We hope that you will prayerfully consider how you might become involved!

To learn more:

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair:LuAnn Greiner)

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

Confronting Christian Nationalism

Pam Oliver on February 4, 2023

A guest sermon on February 12 and an eight-week study group on Tuesday mornings 10:30-12 from February 28-April 18 led by ORUCC member Rev. Dr. David Anderman will address the challenges of white christian nationalism*. The study group will be hybrid (in person and virtual on Zoom) in the Swan seminar room at ORUCC. The Racial Justice Mission Team has been discussing this issue for over a year and we think it is time to bring it to the congregation. We asked David to write a short statement about this issue for the ORUCC website.

What is white christian nationalism?

By Rev. Dr. David Anderman

A simple answer is that white christian nationalism* is a crazy quilt of threadbare pieces of worn-out doctrines and practices.

Here’s a dense answer, dense because the seemingly simple question is actually very complex:

Contemporary white christian nationalism in the United States is an attempt, in many ways successful, by certain political powers, predominantly on the right, to co-opt Christian symbols, doctrines, and institutions to increase their own political powers.

The ideology of white christian nationalism has already corrupted large segments of U.S. Christianity. In the areas of journalism, politics and political theory, and academia, a multitude of questions have been raised about white christian nationalism. But within the Christian church and within theology, the discussion has been more muted. As Christians, we need to raise our voices to address sisters and brothers, using the resources of faith, especially scripture and theology.

The crazy quilt of white christian nationalism uses familiar Christian ideas and symbols that have been re-worked into a picture we cannot, and will not, recognize as Christian. The quilt of white christian nationalism, at first glance, can offer an unchristian comfort for many who do not see the threadbare nature of the pieces of fabric used. A more robust quilt of Christian resources provides both deeper, more long-lasting comfort and challenges us to get out of bed and work for justice.

Faithfully answering and constructively responding to the challenges of white christian nationalism requires serious study of and reflection on the challenges and how we respond.

To begin the discussion at ORUCC, Rev. Julia has invited me to preach on Feb. 12. My sermon on white christian nationalism will raise questions for you. It will be meant to stimulate discussion.

And the Racial Justice Mission Team has asked me to lead a study of white christian nationalism. The study will be on Tuesday mornings 10-11:30 am during Lent, the traditional Christian season of self-examination and penitence, and continuing for two sessions after Easter, in the season of hope and new life (Feb. 28-April 18). After an introductory discussion, each of the next seven sessions will examine a piece of the quilt and consider a corresponding call to action for faithful Christians. The last session will be an overview of how we might faithfully respond as individual Christians and as part of the Christian community. Resources and readings will be provided for each week after the first.

I anticipate stimulating and challenging discussions. Please don’t be hesitant to participate because you aren’t sure about such a heavy theological topic. Theology is about finding meaning in life and faith. We begin with who we are and where we are. Whether you self-consciously realize it or not, you already do theology. The study is an opportunity for us to reflect and grow together as we consider deep values, faith, and living in a topsy-turvy world.

Rev. Julia has asked me to include some biographical tidbits for those of you who don’t know me very well yet. I have a doctorate from University of Chicago Divinity School. While a grad student I did three years of field work in a middle-class, black UCC congregation (that was their self-description) on the South Side of Chicago and then wrote my dissertation about that congregation. Seven years ago I retired after 40 years of parish ministry in a variety of UCC congregations. I also have experience teaching theology and religion, ethics, and philosophy at the college level.

* David says: “I refuse to capitalize “christian” in referring to white christian nationalism, because this ideology is not Christian.“

Celebrating Dianne Stevens and the Greeting Card Ministry with Renewal

Orchard Ridge UCC on December 15, 2022

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LuAnn Greiner, Dianne Stevens, Peg Kneueve

Long-time ORUCC members know that since 2003 Dianne Stevens has been selling beautifully crafted “Secrets from the Garden” photo greeting card to support an anti-eviction fund. Her ministry raised over $27,000 that promoted housing stability for many individuals and families in our community.

We are celebrating Dianne’s achievement and ministry by renewing it. It has been Dianne’s desire to pass her supplies and this ministry on to others.  Serendipity stepped in with ORUCC members Peg Knueve and LuAnn Greiner teaming up to share their own artistic skills and relaunch this creative effort in both new and familiar ways. On Sunday November 13, 2022 a new line of greeting cards was introduced. “Original Designs” greeting cards feature original artwork and nature photography. Proceeds will continue to be directed to housing stability in our community.  These seasonal and special occasion cards are always on display and available for purchase in the Crossroads. Pick up a few after worship or any time you are stopping by ORUCC!

Original Designs Greeting Cards

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on December 6, 2022

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

December 2022

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Supporting neighbors during a season of giving

Holiday Sponsors needed for Meadowood Health Partnership’s Family Christmas Program

As we have for the past several years, ORUCC is recruiting members to participate in the Meadowood Health Partnership’s Christmas gift drive for our neighbors in need. 

A ‘Holiday Sponsor’ can be an individual, a family, or a ‘sponsor group’ of friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Sponsors are assigned to a family size of their choice and given a list of needed or wanted items. The sponsor is responsible for purchasing and wrapping these items. Gifts are due by December 20th.

If interested, please contact Maureen Murphy, [email protected], or Sheray Wallace, [email protected].

Thank you for helping out a family in need this Holiday Season! 

Contribute to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund

When school is in recess during these holidays, many neighborhood families struggle to find the dollars to buy groceries.  

The ORUCC Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund provides food assistance year-round to these families, but especially so at this time of the year. Our social work partners distribute food and gas gift cards to Southwest Madison neighbors – purchased via donations to our FUND.

You can ask questions and learn more about this Fund at a table set up at ORUCC on Sunday December 4 and 11. The table will be staffed by ORUCC members who have seen the good things that these gift cards do for families in need. 

You can make donations at the table, or at any time by going to https://orucc.org/contribute/support/ and clicking on the link-box “Contribute to the Thanksgiving Year-Round Fund”  Thank you!

A Brighter Holiday for Youth Affected by Parental Incarceration

JustDane’s Mentoring Connections program is designed to invest in the future of Dane County youth who are affected by parental incarceration. The Mentoring Connections Annual Holiday Party will take place in December, and JustDane would love to receive donations of gifts, Visa gift cards, or financial support for the party. If you would like to give, simply complete this form or drop off your gift at 2115 S. Park St. by December 12th. See the link for further details.

All donations through the website will go to the Mentoring Connections Party unless specified that it be used for gifts, in which case check the box labeled “I’d like to dedicate this gift” and “dedicate” the donation to “gifts for children”.

Moms on a Mission is a grassroots group of mothers and others who show up outside East High School every day to foster a nonviolent environment by being present, creating relationships, and de-escalating conflict. You can help this mission by contributing money to pay for snacks for the youth that MOMs distributes during the lunch period. You can also sign up as a volunteer to be present at East High during the lunch period. To read more about this mission and donate for snacks or volunteer see https://justdane.org/moms/. JustDane is acting as the fiscal agent for these contributions.  

Upcoming Community Events

Longest Night Homeless Persons Memorial Service

JustDane organizes an annual event to commemorate people who have died while experiencing homelessness in our community. The event is called Longest Night Homeless Persons Memorial Service, which will be held this year on Wednesday, December 21st, starting at 3 pm.

How to participate: gather on the Capitol Square at the intersection of East Main, South Pinckney Street and King Street. The group will hold a brief outdoor service and then proceed around the Capitol led by a horse drawn hearse. Donations of warm socks, long underwear, scarves, gloves, and hats can be dropped at First Congregational United Church of Christ at 1609 University Avenue in Madison. This letter from JustDane provides additional information.

Dane County Faith Based Housing Summit

January 31st, 8:30-2:00

Location: Orchard Ridge UCC (1501 Gilbert Ave, Madison)

Faith communities in Dane County are invited to a Faith-Based Housing Summit, for a conversation about creating and supporting affordable housing. Speakers include Prof. Kurt Paulsen of UW Madison on the state of housing in Wisconsin, Rev. Mark Elsdon of Rooted Good & The Pres House on the faith communities’ call and assets they can add to this conversation, and Don Bernards of Baker Tilly on logistics to consider as we enter work around affordable housing. There will also be a time to network and for those gathered to brainstorm actions the faith community can take together to address the need for affordable housing in Dane County.  This summit is intended for people who are committed to working on issues around housing in our community.

To learn more, visit the WI Council of Churches informational page.

Register Here

Updates From Our Mission Teams and Groups

Heart Room Moves Forward – Consider Joining In!

Heart Room will expand in 2023! This year, ORUCC is providing rental assistance for 8 families with young children to find and keep stable housing. The families are off to a great start, with support from ORUCC members and our partners: The Road Home (TRH), Early Childhood Initiative, and Joining Forces for Families. 

Heart Room partners plan to add new families in 2023, with rental assistance provided by other congregations or community organizations. The proposed County budget includes added funding for The Road Home to provide housing case management and facilitate our partnership efforts.

The ORUCC Heart Room Team would love to add new members, as we gear up to support Heart Room families now and future program expansion. Would you like to learn more and consider joining us? Please contact Heart Room team member Bruce Olsen [email protected] or 608-347-0869.  

Racial Justice Mission Team

The racial justice mission team welcomes new members. We are seeking to expand our programming on racial justice issues and are looking for your ideas about what you’d like to see. Contact [email protected] if you would like more information or to make suggestions. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 am, with flexibility to adjust meeting times for new members.

Learn About Justice Issues

From Palestinian Justice

A sea-change in public sentiment 

Most readers will recognize the name of Shireen Abu Akleh, the prominent American journalist of Palestinian descent who was shot and killed last May by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). While wearing the blue vest of a press reporter, with “PRESS” prominently displayed, Abu Akleh was assassinated while covering an IDF raid on a Palestinian refugee camp. 

Less well known, perhaps, is the unprecedented push by members of Congress to hold Israel accountable for this killing. Nearly half of all Democratic members of the Senate have signed a letter calling for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing. Even the FBI (US Department of Justice), with support from influential members of Congress, has opened an investigation into this killing. (The Israeli government, it should be noted, has refused to cooperate with the FBI investigation of the death of this American citizen.)  

Such an outspoken demand for transparency and accountability would not have been possible a few years ago. It represents a sea-change in public sentiment. Increasingly, Americans are viewing Israel as an apartheid regime and demanding justice and equality for Palestinians living under this regime. 

Thomas Beilman and Diane Dulin

From Racial Justice

The Wisconsin Faithful Stance for Equity partners have collected Teach the Truth recordings for 2022. Local people tell the truth about our history in short (5 minute or so) statements about history. Check it out. 

MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity)

ORUCC recently joined MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity and Solidarity). MOSES is a grassroots, interfaith, nonpartisan, racially-mixed, non-profit organization working for transformative justice in Dane County and Wisconsin that is part of WISDOM, a statewide organization with chapters in multiple cities. Most of our members belong to faith communities, but others are unaffiliated individuals committed to social justice. We hope that you will prayerfully consider how you might become involved!

To learn more:

  • Read a blog article by ORUCC members Barbie Jackson and Pam Oliver on ORUCC’s website. It provides more details about MOSES, and includes links to register for the events below or sign up for the MOSES mailing list. 
  • Download a copy of the most recent MOSES newsletter to learn more.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair: Ken Psyck).

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on November 1, 2022

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

November 2022

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

Opportunities for Action or Service

Upcoming Events of Interest

From Climate Justice November 3 7-8:30 pm Faiths Connect for Climate Action will have program on recent legislation that allows organizations like churches to get funds for climate action. There will be time for small group discussions. Register here. There is also a November 4 Dane Climate Summit and a November 12 High School climate conference.

From Racial Justice November 6, 2:30-4:30 MOSES general meeting in person at First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison or via Zoom. General meetings include informational programs and racial justice conversations.

See longer articles below for more information about these events. Also register by Nov 1 for a new member orientation November 12 10-11:30 am on Zoom that will explain the history and activities of MOSES

Election Day is November 8

Elections are one way we express our values about our society. Please make a plan to vote. You can check your voter registration, find your polling place and more at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/. If you are disabled in any way and need assistance or advice about voting you can call 844-347-8683 or email [email protected] . If you can, make sure the people around you are able to vote. You will need a valid photo ID to vote. You can register at the polls if you also have a proof of address.

Heart Room Moves Forward – Consider Joining In!

Heart Room will expand in 2023! This year, ORUCC is providing rental assistance for 8 families with young children to find and keep stable housing. The families are off to a great start, with support from ORUCC members and our partners: The Road Home (TRH), Early Childhood Initiative, and Joining Forces for Families. 

Heart Room partners plan to add new families in 2023, with rental assistance provided by other congregations or community organizations. The proposed County budget includes added funding for The Road Home to provide housing case management and facilitate our partnership efforts.

The ORUCC Heart Room Team would love to add new members, as we gear up to support Heart Room families now and future program expansion. Would you like to learn more and consider joining us? Please contact Heart Room team member Bruce Olsen [email protected] or 608-347-0869.  

From Racial Justice

Moms on a Mission is a grassroots group of mothers and others who show up outside East High School every day to foster a nonviolent environment by being present, creating relationships, and de-escalating conflict. You can help this mission by contributing money to pay for snacks for the youth that MOMs distributes during the lunch period. You can also sign up as a volunteer to be present at East High during the lunch period. To read more about this mission and donate for snacks or volunteer see https://justdane.org/moms/. JustDane is acting as the fiscal agent for these contributions.  

Updates From Our Mission Teams and Groups

Immigration Justice

Letter Writing Campaign Update. We’re convinced that letter writing really does have an impact! After worship on Sunday, October 16, 2022, many people signed letters to our federal legislators to buoy support for the Afghan Adjustment Act. Within a week, Baxter Richardson and Ruthanne Landsness personally delivered letters to the Madison offices of Tammy Baldwin (36 letters), Mark Pocan (32 letters), and Ron Johnson (35 letters).

Since the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, almost 80,000 Afghans have been welcomed into the United States via humanitarian parole. Under this status, the Department of Homeland Security allows people to enter the United States for one to two years. The bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act in the US House and Senate would provide a pathway to lawful permanent status for Afghan evacuees in the United States who entered via humanitarian parole. Advocates hope to secure the necessary support for getting the bill passed before the end of the year.

‘Over 55’ connections. At their most recent meeting, Over 55 was treated to a foray into immigration issues, facts, figures, and stories with Ruthanne Landsness and Steve Sheets. They explored a history of immigration justice at ORUCC, current immigration policy issues, what happens at Casa Alitas in Tucson, and a travelogue of Steve’s trips to Tucson, including delivery of items from the ORUCC clothing drive. If you’d like to listen to the presentation, please click on the link below.  

Link to a .mov file stored in a Google drive

Racial Justice Mission Team

The racial justice mission team welcomes new members. We are seeking to expand our programming on racial justice issues and are looking for your ideas about what you’d like to see. Contact [email protected] if you would like more information or to make suggestions. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 am, with flexibility to adjust meeting times for new members.

Learn About Justice Issues

From Care of Creation 

Many upcoming ways to learn and connect with others

  • Faiths Connect for Climate Action is a local, multi-faith group that cares about climate change and how it will affect our planet. They invite interested people to attend their next meeting. We will learn how the recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) helps individuals and faith communities get funds to take climate action. Thursday, November 3, from 7:00-8:30 pm, via Zoom. Register here.  Guest presenter: Kathy Kuntz from the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change. After Kathy speaks there will be time for questions & answers, and then split into smaller breakout groups so we can meet each other, network, and share our ideas and actions with each other.  Wisconsin Creation Care Ambassadors and Citizens’ Climate Lobby Madison’s faith team are hosting this free, virtual event. If you have any questions, please email Heather Phelps at [email protected].
  • Sustain Dane Summit  Building Our Social Change Ecosystem Friday, November 4, 7:45 am – 3:00 pm, at Monona Terrace Register here.  
  • Dane County High School Climate Action Conference  Gen Z: Meeting the Challenge of Our Changing Environment November 12, 8:30-4:30, at the Alliant Energy Center  All high school students in Dane County are invited to this free conference to connect and collaborate with environmental activists throughout Dane County, share and learn how to help the environment, and more! Please share this invitation with any high schoolers in your life and ask them to register here.
  • The Letter, a 1 hour 21 min documentary film, brings people from Senegal, the Amazon, India, and Hawai’i into dialogue with the Pope about the planetary crisis and the toll it’s taking on nature and people. https://youtu.be/Rps9bs85BII.

From Racial Justice

Sifting & Reckoning: UW Madison’s History of Exclusion and Resistance

is an exhibit at the Chazen Museum of Art that runs through Dec. 23, 2022. It is a collaboration of UW Madison Public History Project and the Chazen Museum of Art. Several topics of study are highlighted:

  • THE EARLY YEARS: Highlights are an explanation of the acquisition of Ho-Chunk land and the Treaty of 1832, and a timeline of “The Firsts,” showing students who were the first known of their particular racial, ethnic, or cultural identity and their persistence in overcoming many obstacles.
  • HOUSING: The 1961 video footage of housing discrimination as landlords deny housing to Black applicants. This was locked away in the UW Archives for almost 60 years.
  • STUDENT LIFE: This exhibit runs the gamut from the early minstrel shows, the KKK on campus, racism in student organizations, all the way to The Divine Nine.
  • IN THE CLASSROOM: Includes interesting oral histories from former students.
  • ATHLETICS: Exclusion of Black athletes and biographies of first Black coaches.
  • STUDENT ACTIVISM: Organizing of the Black Student Strike, other student protests, and more recently, the development of several student centers to support students.

These are only a few of the highlights of this exhibit. The displays are compelling and there are several opportunities to leave comments to express one’s impressions upon seeing this history. Seeing it in person is ideal, but if you can’t, check out the website: https://reckoning.wisc.edu/

Recognizing Divisive Politics. Politicians are seeking power by fanning divisiveness and fear about our children. They are:

  • Attacking care and respect for LGBTQIA+ youth in schools
  • Attacking “critical race theory” to erase US history and push back on programs seeking care and respect for racial minorities in schools.
  • Opposing truthful sex education
  • Opposing funding for public schools
  • Promoting militarized approaches to school safety
  • Cutting programs that enhance safety by addressing students’ needs.
  • Playing to fears of crime in political ads

ORUCC has a long and proud history of supporting LGBTQIA+ youth and adults and a general commitment towards racial equality as core tenets of our faith. We hope ORUCC folks will help slow down the emotional responses to fear-fanning political rhetoric, and help promote policies of inclusion and safety for everyone. The statewide Zoom meetings of the Faithful Stance for Equity coalition offer an opportunity to learn about how these issues are related in campaigns around the state. 

The Wisconsin Faithful Stance for Equity partners have collected Teach the Truth recordings for 2022. Local people tell the truth about our history in short (5 minute or so) statements about history.  Check it out. 

Guaranteeing Voting Rights for Disabled People

The September statewide meeting of the Faithful Stance for Equity coalition included a presentation by Barbara Beckert of the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition. People who are unable to get to the polls DO have the right to vote, despite the passage of recent laws trying to make it more difficult to vote. People who are unable to get to the polls or a mailbox unassisted DO have the right to have someone else help them as long as that person is not an employer or union representative. A wealth of legal and practical information was presented, including advice about what congregations can do to help make sure everyone can vote. 

Want to learn more? Take a look at the PowerPoint or the video recording from the presentation (75 minutes). 

MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity)

ORUCC recently joined MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity and Solidarity). MOSES is a grassroots, interfaith, nonpartisan, racially-mixed, non-profit organization working for transformative justice in Dane County and Wisconsin that is part of WISDOM, a statewide organization with chapters in multiple cities. Most of our members belong to faith communities, but others are unaffiliated individuals committed to social justice. We hope that you will prayerfully consider how you might become involved!

To learn more:

  • Read a blog article by ORUCC members Barbie Jackson and Pam Oliver on ORUCC’s website. It provides more details about MOSES, and includes links to register for the events below or sign up for the MOSES mailing list. 
  • Attend the November 6th general meeting of MOSES 2:30-4:30 in person at First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive or via Zoom
  • Download a copy of the most recent MOSES newsletter to learn more.

From Palestinian Justice

 Consider travel to Palestine

We are often asked what’s the best way to learn about Palestine-Israel. On this question, we agree fully with UCC President John Dorhauer, who has stated, “Nothing can impact you like traveling to and witnessing firsthand what you can otherwise only read about from other sources. I can tell you from my own experience, if you get an opportunity to travel to the Middle East and in particular to go behind the walls of the Occupied Territories, I know that, like me, your life will be transformed by the experience.”

 “Come and see.” Participate in an authentic holy land witness trip. From firsthand experience with the following trip leaders and itineraries, we heartily recommend:

  • “Olive Picking Tour” (Oct 15-24, 2022) and “Olive Planting Tour” (Feb 4-23, 2023) hosted by the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (UCC mission partner organizations)
  • “In the Footsteps of Jesus” (Nov 4-16, 2022 & Jan 1-13, 2023) hosted by Rev. Jeff and Janet Wright;
  • “Come and See” Solidarity Tour (Jun 11-24, 2023) hosted by Rev. Dr. Michael Spath, phone (260-515-9300).

For more information about these trips, contact us.

Thomas Beilman and Diane Dulin

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair: Ken Psyck).

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

ORUCC Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge UCC on October 4, 2022

 
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Faithful Action for Justice

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

October 2022

Faithful Action for Justice provides announcements and information from ORUCC’s Justice missions (Care of Creation, Immigration Justice, Heart Room, Racial Justice, Christian Witness and Service, Palestinian Justice).

Nobody can do everything. Saying yes to some things requires saying no to others. Our health and obligations limit us. As you read, briefly celebrate and pray for people doing something you will not join. As you feel called, reach out to a project’s contact person to learn more, and consider joining or click on links to read more.

Our justice mission teams provide information on issues that may be controversial, speaking to the congregation but not for the congregation.

News From Our Mission Teams and Groups

The Immigration Justice Team invites you to support

lawful permanent residency for Afghan refugees

When: Sunday, October 16, 2022, after worship

Where: Friendship Hall, coffee provided

Why: To write letters to help support lawful permanent residency for Afghan refugees

Over 76,000 Afghans who were evacuated to the U.S. a year ago have been saved from persecution in their home country. Yet, nearly all of them lack a clear path to permanent stability and security. The Afghan Adjustment Act, a recently introduced bi-partisan bill, would open that path.

Join us in writing letters to our Senators and Representative to support this legislation. We will provide the information you need and will deliver the letters personally to the Madison offices of Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, and Representative Mark Pocan.

For more information:

Guaranteeing Voting Rights for Disabled People

The September statewide meeting of the Faithful Stance for Equity coalition included a presentation by Barbara Beckert of the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition. People who are unable to get to the polls have the right to vote despite the passage of recent laws trying to make it more difficult to vote. People who are unable to get to the polls or a mailbox unassisted do have the right to have someone else help them as long as that person is not an employer or union representative. A wealth of legal and practical information was presented, including advice about what congregations can do to help make sure everyone can vote. 

Want to learn more? Take a look at the PowerPoint or the video recording (75 minutes) from the presentation. ) 

MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity)

ORUCC recently joined MOSES (Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity and Solidarity). MOSES is a grassroots, interfaith, nonpartisan, racially-mixed, non-profit organization working for transformative justice in Dane County and Wisconsin that is part of WISDOM, a statewide organization with chapters in multiple cities. Most of our members belong to faith communities, but others are unaffiliated individuals committed to social justice. We hope that you will prayerfully consider how you might become involved!

To learn more:

  • Read a blog article by ORUCC members Barbie Jackson and Pam Oliver on ORUCC’s website. It provides more details about MOSES, and includes links to register for the events below or sign up for the MOSES mailing list. 
  • Attend the November 6th general meeting of MOSES in person or via Zoom
  • Attend the November 12 new member orientation via Zoom (Registration link). This open to all and is intended to explain the organization to people considering whether to get involved.
  • Download a copy of the most recent MOSES newsletter to learn more.

Meet the New Heart Room Families

Our first cohort of Heart Room families “graduated.” Heart Room now serves eight families – three began in 2021, and five joined in recent months. Each family receives rental assistance and individualized support for up to three years. Heart Room works with families to consider their strengths and priorities, as well as their needs and barriers to success. They are working hard to meet their goals to thrive in stable housing and meet other important needs for health, safety, and financial stability. 

Would you like to learn more about the families? Here is a summary provided by The Road Home, the lead administrative partner for Heart Room. 

From Palestinian Justice

 

Consider travel to Palestine

We are often asked what’s the best way to learn about Palestine-Israel. On this question, we agree fully with UCC President John Dorhauer, who has stated, “Nothing can impact you like traveling to and witnessing firsthand what you can otherwise only read about from other sources. I can tell you from my own experience, if you get an opportunity to travel to the Middle East and in particular to go behind the walls of the Occupied Territories, I know that, like me, your life will be transformed by the experience.”

 

“Come and see.” Participate in an authentic holy land witness trip. From firsthand experience with the following trip leaders and itineraries, we heartily recommend:

  • “Olive Picking Tour” (Oct 15-24, 2022) and “Olive Planting Tour” (Feb 4-23, 2023) hosted by the Joint Advocacy Initiative of the East Jerusalem YMCA and YWCA of Palestine (UCC mission partner organizations)
  • “In the Footsteps of Jesus” (Nov 4-16, 2022 & Jan 1-13, 2023) hosted by Rev. Jeff and Janet Wright;
  • “Come and See” Solidarity Tour (Jun 11-24, 2023) hosted by Rev. Dr. Michael Spath, phone (260-515-9300).

For more information about these trips, contact us.

 

Thomas Beilman and Diane Dulin

Opportunities for Action

Wisconsin Voter Education Campaign

ORUCC and Madison Mennonite members showed their dedication to the voting process this summer by joining over 30 people from eight Dane County congregations to participate in WIVEC’s non-partisan Summer Interfaith Canvassing Campaign in July. We knocked on over 350 doors and spoke with over 180 households! The League of Women Voters provided training and reported that this was one of their most successful door knocking campaigns!

There is still one more opportunity to volunteer in the non-partisan WIVEC Fall Interfaith Canvassing Campaign, on Sunday October 9 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm (includes pre and post gathering times).

To see/hear July canvassers from ORUCC & other congregations watch this video. You’ll recognize a few people!–experience their reflections and feel the excitement of the day. If you’re at all interested, contact me for further info! Ruth Ann Berkholtz at [email protected] or VM at 608-334-8761.

Racial Justice Mission Team

The racial justice mission team welcomes new members. We are seeking to expand our programming on racial justice issues and are looking for your ideas about what you’d like to see. Contact [email protected] if you would like more information or to make suggestions. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 9 – 10:30 am, can adjust meeting times for new members.

About our Missions

Interested? Reach out to learn more about our justice teams and projects. Our mission teams welcome your time, talent and energy!

In addition, our Christian Witness and Service ministry connects members to a variety of opportunities to support justice activities (chair: Ken Psyck).

Let us love and care for ourselves and each other as we work together for justice and mercy.

Orchard Ridge UCC | Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice, 1501 Gilbert Road, Madison, WI 53711

Disability Rights and Voting

Pam Oliver on September 28, 2022

The September statewide meeting of the Faithful Stance for Equity coalition included a very informative presentation by Barbara Beckert of the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition. People who are unable to get to the polls have the right to vote despite the passage of recent laws trying to make it more difficult to vote. People who are unable to get to the polls or a mailbox unassisted do have the right to have someone else help them as long as that person is not an employer or union representative. A wealth of legal and practical information was presented, including advice about what congregations can do to help make sure everyone can vote. 

A copy of the PowerPoint presentation that is chock full of information may be downloaded here.

Topics covered include

  • Legal protections for voting by disabled people
  • About 23% of people have some disability, including consequences of aging; disabled people are underrepresented at the polls
  • Historical barriers to voting & new barriers due to post-2020 laws
  • Legal challenges to new laws including federal laws that require accessibility
  • Voters rights to accessible voting, curbside voting, reasonable accommodations
  • Guardianship issues
  • How to get involved
  • Resources, including election day hotlines

You may also watch a videorecording of the presentation (75 minutes).